Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 2004 Dec 4, 46(6), 309 - 313 Epub 2005 Jan 10. Occurrence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in activated sludge samples in Campinas, SP, Brazil; Santos LU et al.; Giardia and Cryptosporidium have caused several outbreaks of gastroenteritis in humans associated with drinking water . Contaminated sewage effluents are recognized as a potential source of waterborne protozoa . Due to the lack of studies about the occurrence of these parasites in sewage samples in Brazil, we compared the efficiency of two procedures for concentrating cysts and oocysts in activated sludge samples of one sewage treatment plant . For this, the samples were submitted to i) concentration by the ether clarification procedure (ECP) and to ii) purification by sucrose flotation method (SFM) and aliquots of the pellets were examined by immunofluorescence . Giardia cysts were present in all samples (100.0%; n = 8) when using ECP and kit 1 reagents, while kit 2 resulted in six positive samples (85.7%; n = 7) . As for SFM, cysts were detected in 75.0% and 100.0% of these samples (for kit 1 and 2, respectively) . Regarding Cryptosporidium, two samples (25.0%; kit 1 and 28.5% for kit 2) were detected positive by using ECP, while for SFM, only one sample (examined by kit 1) was positive (12.5%) . The results of the control trial revealed Giardia and Cryptosporidium recovery efficiency rates for ECP of 54.5% and 9.6%, while SFM was 10.5% and 3.2%, respectively . Considering the high concentration detected, a previous evaluation of the activated sludge before its application in agriculture is recommended and with some improvement, ECP would be an appropriate simple technique for protozoa detection in sewage samples. Health Phys, 2005 Feb, 88(2), 163 - 168 OUTPUT OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL NUCLIDES OF KNOWN INJECTED DOSES FROM A MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM; Nakamura A et al.; The concentrations of Tc, I, Ga, and Tl of the discharge water and the sewage sludge from Kurume Central Sewage Treatment Plant were determined once a week for 2 mo . The radiopharmaceutical doses injected into the patients for all of four hospitals that use nuclear medicines in the service area of the plant were also surveyed . Approximately 1.5% of the Tc, 1.5% of the I, 4.3% of the Ga, and 0.41% of the Tl of the injected doses were detected in the discharged water from the plant . The behavior of these radionuclides in the sewage treatment system was analyzed using a compartment model . The analyses suggest that the average residence times in storage tanks and drainage pipes before entering the plant were 9.5 h for Tc, 81 h for I, 120 h for Ga, and 480 h for Tl. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 2005 Feb, 41(1), 73 - 81 Epub 2004 Dec 09. Tiered environmental risk assessment of methyltins from heat stabilizers in rigid PVC in Sweden; van Dokkum HP et al.; The methyltins, methyltin 2-ethylhexyl mercaptoacetate and methyltin-2-mercaptoethyloleate sulfide, are used as heat stabilizers in rigid PVC . The degradation products monomethyltintrichloride (MMTTC) and dimethyltindichloride (DMTDC) may leach from the PVC, and enter the environment . A risk assessment was executed for the use of these products in Sweden, with the double aim to (a) assess the potential environmental risks, and (b) explore the possibilities of a tiered risk assessment . An initial assessment was executed with EUSES 1.0 . The initial assessment showed no significant environmental risks on a regional scale . On a local scale however, emissions from a sewage treatment plant to the surface water pose a potential risk for the near proximity . In a second tier, this critical exposure route was studied in more detail; an improved exposure scenario was drawn up; and an additional sorption experiment was performed . This refinement resulted in much lower predicted environmental concentrations (<<PNEC) . Measured methyltin concentrations in countries where methyltin heat stabilizers are registered, reveal concentrations ranging from<detection limit to intermediate values between concentrations predicted in the initial and refined assessment . The tiered assessment scheme proved valuable . Using this, the environmental risks due to the leaching of MMTTC and DMTDC from rigid PVC in Sweden are of no concern. Environ Toxicol Chem, 2004 Dec, 23(12), 2807 - 15 Identification of estrogenic compounds in wastewater effluent; Nakada N et al.; In order to identify the dominant contributors to estrogenic activity in environmental waters, a comprehensive fractionation method using silica gel column chromatography, combined with recombinant yeast assay for detecting estrogenic activity and with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for quantifying endocrine disruptors and natural estrogens, was developed . The method was applied to the municipal sewage treatment plant (STP) secondary effluent discharged to the Tamagawa River in Tokyo, Japan, where endocrine disruption was observed in wild carp . The instrumental analysis demonstrated that averaged concentrations of nonylphenol, bisphenol A, estrone (E1), and 17beta-estradiol (E2) were 564 +/- 127, 27 +/- 19, 33 +/- 11, and 4.6 +/- 3.0 ng/L, respectively . Based on the concentration and relative potency of these compounds, the natural estrogens E1 and E2 represented more than 98% of the total estrogen equivalent concentration (EEQ) in the STP effluent, while the contribution of phenolic compounds to total EEQ was less than 2% . Estrogenic activities associated with the dissolved phase of the effluent samples were detected by a recombinant yeast assay . By using silica gel column chromatography, the dissolved phase was separated into several fractions that were subjected to the bioassay . The polar fractions exhibited estrogenic activity . The greatest estrogenic activity was found in a polar fraction containing E1 and E2 and represented 66 to 88% of the total estrogenic activities estimated from the bioassay data . These results lead to the conclusion that E1 and E2 were the dominant environmental estrogens in the STP effluent, but a significant contribution to estrogenic activities stems from unidentified components in the effluents. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2005 Jan, 71(1), 72 - 9 Membrane Adsorption with Direct Cell Culture Combined with Reverse Transcription-PCR as a Fast Method for Identifying Enteroviruses from Sewage; Papaventsis D et al.; We present a new approach for the detection and identification of enteroviruses concentrated and isolated from sewage . Samples were collected from two study sites located at Nicosia and Limassol sewage treatment plants in Cyprus . Viruses were adsorbed to cellulose nitrate membrane filters, cultured directly from the membrane filters by using the VIRADEN method, and identified by reverse transcription-PCR, followed by 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and partial sequencing of the VP1 protein coding region . Initial subgrouping based on the HpaII restriction profile showed that all of the isolates except one belonged to the same genetic subcluster . Partial VP1 sequencing revealed that most isolates belonged to serotypes coxsackie B4 (42.5%) and coxsackie Alpha9 (30%), whereas coxsackie B2 (17.5%) and coxsackie B1 (3%) isolates were less frequently observed . One poliovirus type 2 isolate (2.5%) of vaccine origin was also found . The HpaII digests predicted the genetic subcluster for all isolates . They also accurately differentiated the isolates as nonpolio or polio isolates . This approach seems to be very promising for environmental surveillance of enterovirus circulation and epidemiology, with all of the significant effects that this entails for public health . Partial VP1 sequencing is efficient for molecular serotyping of enteroviruses, while 5'-UTR RFLP analysis with HpaII can also be considered an asset for the initial subclassification of enterovirus isolates. Ann Agric Environ Med, 2004, 11(2), 199 - 204 Health complaints from workplace exposure to bioaerosols: a questionnaire study in sewage workers; Krajewski JA et al.; A questionnaire study was performed in 99 workers at a large sewage treatment plant to investigate self-reported health complaints from workplace exposure to bioaerosols . The study population was divided into subgroups according to different work stations: mechanical treatment (MT), biological treatment (BT), sewage sludge treatment (SST) and operation control (OC) . The questionnaire included personal data, workpost and job characteristics, exposure to chemicals, history of employment and exposure, workplace hygiene and protective measures, smoking and drinking habits . There was also a series of 25 questions on subjective health complaints grouped into the following clusters: 'flu-like symptoms', 'respiratory symptoms', 'nose, eye, throat and skin irritation', 'neurological symptoms' and 'gastrointestinal symptoms' . Each subject was asked whether the complaints had occurred 'frequently', 'rarely', or 'never' within the previous 12 months . Air concentrations of endotoxins and (1 --> 3)- beta-D-glucans in the worker's breathing zone were also determined . The measurements of concentrations were made in the summertime during a morning shift . To determine endotoxins concentration, the Chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) Test was applied . The questionnaire data and determination results were subject to a statistical analysis . No statistically significant relationship was found between the reported health complaints and such variables as job title, exposure to endotoxins and glucans, tobacco smoking, age and period of employment as sewage worker . The findings revealed that among the complaints, muscle and joint ache was reported most frequently, while among the symptom clusters, the flu-like symptoms prevailed . These symptom clusters occurred most frequently in OC workers, and were least often found in SST workers . In the worker's breathing zone, the geometric mean concentration of endotoxins amounted to 20.3 ng/m3 and of glucans to 7.76 ng/m3, and was not related to job title or job characteristics . A high correlation was found between endotoxins and (1 --> 3)- beta -D-glucans concentrations (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.86, p < 0.0005). Water Res, 2005 Jan, 39(1), 47 - 58 Comparing steroid estrogen, and nonylphenol content across a range of European sewage plants with different treatment and management practices; Johnson AC et al.; The effluent of 17 sewage treatment works (STW) across Norway, Sweden, Finland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland was studied for the presence of estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), ethinylestradiol (EE2) and nonylphenol (NP) . Treatment processes included primary and chemical treatment only, submerged aerated filter, oxidation ditch, activated sludge (AS) and combined trickling filter with activated sludge . The effluent strength ranged between 87 and 846L/PE (population equivalent), the total hydraulic retention time (HRT) ranged between 4 and 120h, sludge retention time (SRT) between 3 and 30d, and water temperature ranged from 12 to 21 degrees C . The highest estrogen values were detected in the effluent of the STW which only used primary treatment (13ng/L E2 and 35ng/L E1) and on one occasion in one of the STW using the AS system (6.5ng/L E2, 50.5ng/L E1, but on three other occasions the concentrations in this STW were at least a factor of 6 lower) . For the 16 STW employing secondary treatment E2 was only detected in the effluent of six works during the study period (average 0.7-5.7ng/L) . E1 was detected in the effluent of 13 of the same STW . The median value for E1 for the 16 STW with secondary treatment was 3.0ng/L . EE2 was only detected in two STW (1.1, <0.8-2.8ng/L) . NP could be detected in the effluent of all 14 STW where this measurement was attempted, with a median of 0.31mug/L and values ranging from 0.05 to 1.31mug/L . A comparison of removal performance for E1 was carried out following prediction of the probable influent concentration . A weak but significant (alpha<5%) correlation between E1 removal and HRT or SRT was observed. Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Dec 1, 38(23), 6424 - 9 Detection of genistein as an estrogenic contaminant of river water in Osaka; Kawanishi M et al.; The estrogenic activity in water at various localities on Lake Biwa-Yodo River, a representative watershed in Japan, was measured using a recombinant yeast that expresses the human estrogen receptor . The yeast bioassay revealed that the activities of 13 water samples had an average value of 14 pmol/L (3.8 ng/L) (17beta-estradiol equivalent) with a very wide range from 0 to 72 pmol/L (0-19.6 ng/ L), and two of the samples had prominent levels of activity (72 pmol/L (19.6 ng/L) and 56 pmol/L (15.2 ng/L)) . We analyzed these two samples with instrumental approaches . A high-performance liquid chromatogram profile showed that the strong activity in one sample, which was collected just downstream of a sewage-treatment plant, would be due to 17beta-estradiol and estrone, whose source is considered to be human urine contained in the effluent of the plant . The activity in the other sample, which was obtained from a tributary river in a primarily residential area with some industrial development (i.e., Osaka City), however, did not correspond to 17beta-estradiol, estrone, or synthetic chemicals known as estrogenic . Analysis of a fraction with estrogenic activity by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) provided evidence that the activity in the water sample resulted from the presence of genistein, an isoflavone compound of plant origin. Sci Total Environ, 2005 Jan 5, 336(1-3), 225 - 41 Seasonal nutrient dynamics in a chalk stream: the River Frome, Dorset, UK; Bowes MJ et al.; Chalk streams provide unique, environmentally important habitats, but are particularly susceptible to human activities, such as water abstraction, fish farming and intensive agricultural activity on their fertile flood-meadows, resulting in increased nutrient concentrations . Weekly phosphorus, nitrate, dissolved silicon, chloride and flow measurements were made at nine sites along a 32 km stretch of the River Frome and its tributaries, over a 15 month period . The stretch was divided into two sections (termed the middle and lower reach) and mass balances were calculated for each determinand by totalling the inputs from upstream, tributaries, sewage treatment works and an estimate of groundwater input, and subtracting this from the load exported from each reach . Phosphorus and nitrate were retained within the river channel during the summer months, due to bioaccumulation into river biota and adsorption of phosphorus to bed sediments . During the autumn to spring periods, there was a net export, attributed to increased diffuse inputs from the catchment during storms, decomposition of channel biomass and remobilisation of phosphorus from the bed sediment . This seasonality of retention and remobilisation was higher in the lower reach than the middle reach, which was attributed to downstream changes in land use and fine sediment availability . Silicon showed much less seasonality, but did have periods of rapid retention in spring, due to diatom uptake within the river channel, and a subsequent release from the bed sediments during storm events . Chloride did not produce a seasonal pattern, indicating that the observed phosphorus and nitrate seasonality was a product of annual variation in diffuse inputs and internal riverine processes, rather than an artefact of sampling, flow gauging and analytical errors. Sci Total Environ, 2005 Jan 5, 336(1-3), 119 - 34 Silver contamination on abiotic and biotic compartments of Nahuel Huapi National Park lakes, Patagonia, Argentina; Ribeiro Guevara S et al.; The Ag contents of abiotic and biotic compartments of different lakes of Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, Argentina were analyzed . The water bodies studied were lakes Nahuel Huapi, Moreno, Escondido, Espejo Chico and Traful, the latter chosen as a reference lake . The Ag concentration profiles of short sediment cores, dated by (210)Pb and (137)Cs techniques, were analyzed, as well as suspended load collected from three sites of lake Nahuel Huapi . The biota studied were the native mussel Diplodon chilensis (digestive gland and total soft tissues pooled samples) and five species of fish, two native and three introduced (liver and muscle pooled samples) . Ag contents were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) . The upper layers of the sediment cores sampled in lake Nahuel Huapi were enriched in Ag contents compared to deep layers in accumulation periods corresponding to the second half of the 20th century, but this enrichment was neither observed in the reference lake Traful, nor in lakes Espejo Chico and Escondido . Ag was enriched over background level (0.1 mug g(-1)) also in suspended load collected in lake Nahuel Huapi . Ag fluxes to sediments were computed for suspended load and enriched sediment core layers . Highest Ag fluxes, from 350 to 470 mug m(-2) year(-1), were measured in Nahuel Huapi near the site where the liquid effluents of the Bariloche city sewage treatment plant are released to the lake . The spatial distribution of the other Ag fluxes suggests that this is the main source of Ag to lake Nahuel Huapi and lateral transport occurs within the water body . Ag concentrations on biota samples were consistent with these conclusions . Mussels collected in lake Nahuel Huapi showed higher Ag concentrations than in the other lakes, especially when compared to lake Traful . Ag contents in mussels were strongly associated with sediment intake, but enriched probably due to sediment grain size sorting during the intake processes . Evidence of food chain biomagnification of Ag in fish liver was observed . Ag contents in fish liver were higher at lake Nahuel Huapi even considering the high intra-specific variability, with highest values ranging from 10 to 29 mug g(-1) dry weight for brown trout and rainbow trout. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(9), 145 - 53 An innovative sludge management system based on separation of primary and secondary sludge treatment; Mininni G et al.; An innovative sludge management system based on separation of treatment and disposal of primary and secondary sludge is discussed with reference to a sewage treatment plant of 500,000 equivalent person capacity . Secondary sludge, if treated separately from primary sludge, can be recovered in agriculture considering its relatively high content of nitrogen and phosphorus and negligible presence of pathogens and micropollutants . One typical outlet for primary sludge is still incineration which can be optimised by rendering the process auto thermal and significantly reducing the size of the incineration plant units (dryer, fluidised bed furnace, boiler and units for exhaust gas treatment) in comparison with those required for mixed sludge incineration . Biogas produced in anaerobic digestion is totally available for energy conversion when sludge treatment separation is performed, while in the other case a large proportion may be used as fuel in incineration, thus reducing the net electric energy conversion from 0.85-0.9 to 0.35-0.4 MW for the plant considered. Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Nov 1, 38(21), 5497 - 504 Distribution and fate of HBCD and TBBPA brominated flame retardants in North Sea estuaries and aquatic food webs; Morris S et al.; Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane diastereoisomers (alpha-, beta/-, and gamma-HBCD) were investigated in effluents from sewage treatment works, landfill leachates, sediments, and food web organisms of the North Sea basin . Residues were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry . Both flame retardants were enriched in sewage sludges, where a maximum total (sigma) HBCD concentration of 9.1 mg/kg (dry weight; d.w.) was found; TBBPA was at levels of 102 microg/kg . Landfill leachates from The Netherlands showed up to 36 mg (sigmaHBCD)/ kg (d.w.) . gamma-HBCD dominated isomeric profiles in sediments, and concentrations were elevated near to a site of HBCD manufacture . alpha-HBCD was the primary congener detected in marine mammals; however, very few samples exhibited TBBPA . sigmaHBCD ranged from 2.1 to 6.8 mg/kg (lipid weight; l.w.) in liver and blubber of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and seals (Phoca vitulina) . TBBPA levels in cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) livers were up to 1 order of magnitude lower compared to sigmaHBCD . HBCD in eels (Anguilla anguilla) from the Scheldt basin (Belgium) reflected the spatial distribution of concentrations in local sediments . This study shows evidence of HBCD bioaccumulation at the trophic level and biomagnification in the ascending aquatic food chain, and these findings justify risk assessment studies at the ecosystem level. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(7), 237 - 42 Cost-effective solutions for sewage treatment in developing countries--the case of Brazil; Jordao EP et al.; Cost-effective solutions are a must in developing countries, not only regarding investment costs, but also in respect to technology and operating practices . With these two goals in mind, in Brazil a particular effort has been directed for the development and application of the Chemical Enhanced Primary Treatment (CEPT) process and of the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) process, both followed by complementary secondary treatment . Both technologies are under current expansion in Brazil . Large CEPT plants have been designed and built, up to 3.7 m3/s average design flow, as well as large UASB reactors, up to 3.0 m3/s average design flow . The applied technologies are cost-effective: they present low investment and efficiencies of BOD removal of up to 50% to 70% . They allow the plant construction in steps, an initial phase with efficiency over the usual primary treatment, and in order to achieve best effluent quality and meet legal water quality standards, a logic upgrade post-treatment can later on be implemented . The higher initial reduction of BOD and TSS also permits savings in construction and operational costs of secondary treatment, due to lower organic load and lower energy consumption . Sludge represents a particular point of attention: in the cases when the CEPT was used, Chemical Stabilisation of the Sludge (CSS) has also been practiced, eliminating the high construction costs of the digesters, all the plant staying chemically operated . In the cases when the UASB is used preceding secondary treatment, sludge can easily return to the anaerobic vessel, the costly sludge digestion unit being avoided . UASB reactors have practically no equipment in the anaerobic vessel, no energy consumption, low sludge production, and when applied in hot climates as in Brazil, heating devices are not required . The Brazilian experience, some particular cases, special comments on design and different secondary treatment processes are presented in this paper, as a contribution to the discussion of cost and benefits, a prime point to be considered. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(7), 205 - 12 Lamella separators in the upgrading of a large urban sewage treatment plant; Kolisch G et al.; Wupperverband is using lamella separators for the upgrading of its Kohlfurth sewage treatment plant that is currently in progress . The lamellae positioned at the outlet of the biological treatment stage already remove part of the biomass in the activation basin and prevent it from reaching the final clarification stage . This preliminary separation system reduces solids concentration in the biological treatment system without negative impact on final clarification and therefore also lowers the basin capacity needed, with positive effects on costs . This article gives an overview of the separation performance achieved. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(7), 147 - 55 Sewage-treatment under substantial load variations in winter tourism areas--a full case study; Winkler S et al.; The sewage-load variations in winter tourism areas are characterized by sudden increases--in the range of a factor two to three--within only a few days at the start and the end of the tourist season, especially at Christmas . The sudden load increases occur during periods of low wastewater temperatures, which is an additional demanding factor with respect to nitrogen removal . A full case study was carried out at WWTP Saalfelden, which is located near one of Austria's largest skiing resorts . The plant is designed for 80,000 PE and built according to the HYBRID-concept, which is a special two stage activated sludge process for extensive nutrient removal. Mar Pollut Bull, 2004 Nov, 49(9-10), 850 - 3 Reducing sewage pollution in the Antarctic marine environment using a sewage treatment plant; Hughes KA; Despite Antarctica being the largest pristine wilderness on Earth, many coastal Antarctic research stations release untreated sewage waste into the marine environment, which may have negative effects on local wildlife . In February 2003 a sewage treatment plant was installed at Rothera Research Station (Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula) . After one year of operation the sewage treatment plant had dramatically reduced the microbiological pollution in the near-shore marine environment around the outfall and seawater quality conformed to European Union Bathing Water Standards. Environ Toxicol, 2004 Dec, 19(6), 603 - 8 Histological evidence of intersex in feral sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from an estrogen-polluted water source in Gauteng, South Africa; Barnhoorn IE et al.; This is the first histological evidence of intersex in a fish species inhabiting a South African water source . One hundred catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were collected randomly from the Marais Dam (MD) and the Rietvlei Dam (RVD) in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve (RNR), South Africa . These dams drain water from a stream that receives effluent from industrial sites, agricultural activities, informal settlements, and municipal treatment plants . Each fish was evaluated macroscopically and had blood drawn, and its gonads were macroscopically and histologically examined to verify intersex potentially related to endocrine disruption . Gonadal histology of several fish showed primary oocytes scattered in testicular tissue, indicative of intersex . The results showed intersexuality in 20% of fish from both the dams . The GSI value for intersex fish was closer to male GSI values, suggesting that the sampled intersex fish were more likely to have occurred from the feminization of male catfish . Target chemical analyses showed that the water, sediment, and serum samples tested positive for p-nonylphenol (p-NP) . The p-NP level in water and sediment at MD was 6360 and 4.0 microg/kg, respectively, whereas in sediment at RVD it was 113 microg/kg . Commonly found in the effluent from sewage treatment plants, p-NP in water and sediment indicates estrogenic water pollution, which might affect wildlife and humans dependent on these sources . Chemosphere, 2004 Dec, 57(10), 1275 - 88 The anthropogenic contribution to the organic load of the Lippe River (Germany) . Part I: Qualitative characterisation of low-molecular weight organic compounds; Dsikowitzky L et al.; GC/MS-screening analyses of water samples from the Lippe River, Germany, revealed the presence of a wide spectrum of low-molecular weight organic compounds ranging from non-polar constituents like aliphatic hydrocarbons to polar constituents like n-carboxylic acids and phenols . Most of the identified compounds could be attributed to anthropogenic input and are used as plasticizers, flame retardants, pharmaceutical drugs or fragrances . Some of them had rarely been noticed as organic pollutants of aquatic environments before . These are, among others, 9-methylacridine, the plasticizer 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentandioldiisobutyrate (TXIB), the surfactant 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (TMDD), triphenylphosphinoxide and the flame retardant tris(chloropropyl)phosphate . On the other hand, most of the identified trialkyl phosphates, pharmaceutical drugs and synthetic fragrances have been reported in surface waters by several authors so far . Input pathways of the detected compounds were traced back by sampling various input sources of organic matter such as discharges of wastewater and Lippe River tributaries . Several contaminants were ubiquitous in Lippe River water and also occurred in sewage effluent from a municipal sewage treatment plant and in samples from the tributaries . This observation suggests that they are typical sewage derived contaminants and have the potential to be used as anthropogenic molecular markers. Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2004 Jul, 25(4), 32 - 7 {GIS and scenario analysis aid to water pollution control planning of river basin}; Wang SP et al.; The forward and backward algorithms for watershed water pollution control planning were summarized in this paper as well as their advantages and shortages . The spatial databases of water environmental function region, pollution sources, monitoring sections and sewer outlets were built with ARCGIS8.1 as the platform in the case study of Ganjiang valley, Jiangxi province . Based on the principles of the forward algorithm, four scenarios were designed for the watershed pollution control . Under these scenarios, ten sets of planning schemes were generated to implement cascade pollution source control . The investment costs of sewage treatment for these schemes were estimated by means of a series of cost-effective functions; with pollution source prediction, the water quality was modeled with CSTR model for each planning scheme . The modeled results of different planning schemes were visualized through GIS to aid decision-making . With the results of investment cost and water quality attainment as decision-making accords and based on the analysis of the economic endurable capacity for water pollution control in Ganjiang river basin, two optimized schemes were proposed . The research shows that GIS technology and scenario analysis can provide a good guidance to the synthesis, integrity and sustainability aspects for river basin water quality planning. Artif Cells Blood Substit Immobil Biotechnol, 2004, 32(3), 485 - 500 Liquid state bioconversion of sewage treatment plant sludge in batch fermenter and shake flask; Alam MZ et al.; A study on liquid state bioconversion of sewage treatment plant (STP) sludge was assisted to evaluate the performance of batch fermenter compared to shake flask in a laboratory . Bioconversion of STP sludge was highly influenced by the mixed fungal culture of Penicillium corylophilum and Aspergillus niger after 4 days of treatment . The results showed that about 24.9 g kg(-1) dry sludge cake (DSC) was produced with enrichment of fungal biomass protein in fermenter while 20.1 g kg(-1) in shake flask after 4 days of fungal treatment . The effective biodegradation of STP sludge was recorded in both fermenter and shake flask experiment compared to control (uninnoculated sample) . The results presented in this study revealed that the overall performance of fermenter in terms of sludge cake (biosolids) accumulation and biodegradation of STP sludge was higher than the shake flask. Sci Total Environ, 2004 Dec 1, 334-335, 231 - 8 Prioritising and planning of urban stormwater treatment in the Alna watercourse in Oslo; Nordeidet B et al.; The Oslo municipal Water and Sewage Works (VAV) intends to improve the water quality in the Alna watercourse, in particular, with regards to the biological diversity . In order to reduce existing discharges of polluted urban stormwater, a study has been carried out to rank subcatchment areas in descending order of magnitude and to assess possible measures . An overall ranking methodology was developed in order to identify and select the most suitable subcatchment areas for further assessment studies (74 subcatchment/drainage areas) . The municipality's comprehensive geographical information system (GIS) was applied as a base for the ranking . A weighted ranking based on three selected parameters was chosen from several major influencing factors, namely total yearly discharge (kg pollution/year), specific pollution discharge (kg/area/year) and existing stormwater system (pipe lengths/area) . Results show that the highest 15 ranked catchment areas accounted for 70% of the total calculated pollution load of heavy metals . The highest ranked areas are strongly influenced by three major highways . Based on the results from similar field studies, it would be possible to remove 75-85% of total solids and about 50-80% of heavy metals using wet detention ponds as Best Available Technology (BAT) . Based on the final ranking, two subcatchment areas were selected for further practical assessment of possible measures . VAV plans to use wet detention ponds, in combination with other measures when relevant, to treat the urban runoff . Using calculated loading and aerial photographs (all done in the same GIS environment), a preliminary sketch design and location of ponds were performed . The resulting GIS methodology for urban stormwater management will be used as input to a holistic and long-term planning process for the management of the watercourse, taking into account future urban development and other pollution sources. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(5), 335 - 40 Toxic effect of pharmaceuticals on methanogenesis; Fountoulakis M et al.; Pharmaceuticals present in sewage may inhibit the biological processes in a sewage treatment plant . In this work, the toxic-effect of six pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, propranolol hydrochloride, diclofenac sodium, ofloxacin and clofibric acid) on the anaerobic digestion process is assessed . Acetoclastic methanogenes are the most sensitive group of microorganisms participating in the anaerobic digestion process . Appropriate toxicity tests for these microorganisms were then based on assessing the impact of pharmaceuticals on the specific methanogenic activity (SMA) of the anaerobic biomass . The toxicity was expressed by the IC80 and IC50 values, i.e . the concentration at which bioactivity was 80% and 50% of the control, respectively . Results showed that the pharmaceuticals tested caused a mild inhibition to the methanogenes in most cases, related directly to the tendency of the compounds to adsorb on the anaerobic biomass. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(5), 309 - 16 The Elbe flood in August 2002--occurrence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) and dioxin-like PCB in suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediment and fish; Stachel B et al.; As a result of extreme precipitation in August 2002 major flooding occurred in the catchment area of the rivers Elbe, Vltava (Moldau) and Mulde . Pollutants from industrial sites and from municipal sewage treatment works (STW) entered the Elbe and led to a serious pollution problem in the river . PCDD/F concentrations (in pg WHO-TEQ/g dw) in SPM ranged from 7-150, in sediments from 3-140; the "safe sediment value" of 20 was exceeded in 46% of the samples . 24 eels showed a wide concentration variation for these contaminants . The WHO-PCDD/F+PCB-TEQ values lay in the range from 11-56 pg/g ww, whereby the WHO-PCB-TEQ values were several times higher than the WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ values . The maximum permitted value of 4 pg WHO-PCDD/F/g ww (EU Directive No . 2375/2001) was reached or exceeded in 54% of the individuals . A statistical analysis using data from SPM and sediment samples showed that in the Czech river section the flooding activated a contamination source in the vicinity of the Spolana works . The influence of the tributary Mulde could be clearly demonstrated . Only a major clean-up of the contaminated sites in Bitterfeld can lead to a mid to long term improvement in respect of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB input into the Elbe. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(5), 269 - 76 Carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen and bezafibrate--investigations on the behaviour of selected pharmaceuticals during wastewater treatment; Strenn B et al.; Numerous investigations in different European countries observed various pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in notable concentrations in the aquatic environment . Further determinations found the effluents of sewage treatment plants (STPs) to be significant sources for the entry of pharmaceutical residuals to rivers, streams and surface waters . Due to those pathways the knowledge about the elimination of these substances and their behaviour in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is elementary for protection of an intact aquatic environment . Since the sludge retention time (SRT) is the most important parameter for the design of STPs, its influence on the reduction rate of these PhACs in the wastewater treatment process was investigated . To study this influence of the SRT on the elimination of PhACs, lab scale plants have been operated with different sludge retention times . The results of the laboratory experiments have been validated analysing various STPs within a wide capacity range and operating at different SRTs . This report describes the determinations observed on the antiepileptic drug Carbamazepine, the two antiphlogistics and analgesics Diclofenac and Ibuprofen and the lipid regulator Bezafibrate. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(5), 203 - 8 Occurrence of benzothiazoles in municipal wastewater and their fate in biological treatment; Kloepfer A et al.; A number of 2-substituted benzothiazoles that are known to be used as fungicides, corrosion inhibitors and vulcanization accelerators in industry have been analyzed in municipal wastewater and the effluents of activated sludge and membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment over a three month period . All six analytes were regularly detected in the municipal wastewater by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and amount to a total concentration of 3.4 microg/L . Of these compounds benzothiazole-2-sulfonic acid (1,700 ng/L), benzothiazole (850 ng/L) and 2-hydroxybenzothiazole (500 ng/L) were most prominent . The source of the benzothiazole emission is yet unknown . Activated sludge treatment did not reduce total benzothiazole concentration significantly . Removals of the individual compounds ranged from 90% for 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and 70% for hydroxybenzothiazole to 40% for benzothiazole . The concentration of benzothiazole-2-sulfonic acid increased by 20%, whereas 2-methylthiobenzothiazole increased by 160% during activated sludge treatment, likely due to the methylation of mercaptobenzothiazole . Total benzothiazole removal in two parallely operated MBRs was significantly better (43%) than in the conventional activated sludge treatment . Namely benzothiazole and benzothiazole-2-sulfonic acid were more effectively removed . This first systematic study on the occurrence of benzothiazoles in municipal wastewater has shown that this is a relevant class of trace contaminants in municipal wastewater which is only incompletely removed in biological wastewater treatment . Emission from sewage treatment is dominated by the most polar benzothiazole-2-sulfonic acid . MBR treatment may reduce but cannot avoid this emission. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(5), 29 - 36 Comparison of the behaviour of selected micropollutants in a membrane bioreactor and a conventional wastewater treatment plant; Clara M et al.; Micropollutants as pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs), residuals of personal care products or endocrine disrupting chemicals are of increasing interest in water pollution control . In this context the removal efficiencies of sewage treatment plants (STPs) are of importance, as their effluents are important point sources for the release of those substances into the aquatic environment . Activated sludge based wastewater treatment is the worldwide prevalently used treatment technique . In conventional plants the separation of treated wastewater and sludge occurs via sedimentation . A new development is the application of membrane technology for this separation step . The studies focus on the influence of the solids retention time (SRT) on the removal efficiency, as the SRT is the most important parameter in the design of STPs . A conventional activated sludge plant (CASP) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR) were operated at different SRTs . The substances selected are the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesics diclofenac and ibuprofen, the lipid regulator bezafibrate, the polycyclic musks tonalide and galaxolide and the contraceptive 17alpha-ethinylestradiole . No significant differences in the removal efficiency were detected . Due to the absence of suspended solids in the MBR effluent, substances with high adsorption potential could be retained to slightly higher amounts. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(5), 23 - 8 Effects of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) on the toxicity of a mixture of pharmaceuticals; Andreozzi R et al.; The possibility of applying main AOP techniques, namely ozonation, H2O2/UV photolysis and TiO2 photocatalysis to provide a significant reduction of toxicity of pharmaceutical mixtures has been evaluated . For the preparation of the mixture six pharmaceuticals were chosen among those found at highest concentrations in Sewage Treatment Plant effluents, namely carbamazepine, clofibric acid, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, ofloxacin and propranolol . The blue-green alga Synechococcus leopoliensis and the rotifer Brachyonus calyciflorus were utilised to assess the toxicity of the mixtures after AOP treatments . All the toxicity tests were performed using chronic standardized bioassays . The best results were obtained with ozonation . With this type of treatment a complete removal of mixture toxicity on S . leopolensis was obtained even after the shortest time of application (1 min) . The ozonation treatment leads also to removal of all the pharmaceutical mixture toxicity on B . calyciflorus, by applying the oxidizing agent for at least for 2 minutes. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(5), 9 - 14 Efficiency of nanofiltration for the elimination of steroids from water; Weber S et al.; Steroid hormones such as the synthetic 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol often persist in the sewage treatment process and metabolites of the natural steroids like estrone from estradiol accumulate resulting in relevant amounts in the aquatic environment . Since biological removal of steroids in the sewage treatment plant is not successfully complete, physical processes such as membrane filtration may become more important . We investigated the elimination of natural and synthetic steroids by nanofiltration using a laboratory membrane reactor . Chemical analysis of 17-beta-estradiol, estrone, estriol, 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol, mestranol, diethylstilbestrol, progesterone and beta-sitosterine was performed after solid phase extraction by GC-MS with standard addition . The elimination rate depended on the nanofiltration membrane material . LFC1 membrane consisting of polyamide removed the steroids over 99% whereas PES10 membrane consisting of hydrolysed polyethersulfone was less efficient, obviously caused by different pore sizes and permeability of the membrane structure. Electrophoresis, 2004 Oct, 25(20), 3441 - 9 Determination of some acidic drugs in surface and sewage treatment plant waters by capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry; Macia A et al.; We describe an analytical method involving solid-phase extraction (SPE) and capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS) for determining some pharmaceutical compounds - naproxen, clofibric acid and bezafibrate - in real water samples . The electrospray parameters were optimized to maximize sensitivity . When a mixed aqueous-organic solvent and CZE-ESI-MS were used to analyze these drugs in water samples, the capillary was coated with hexadimethrin bromide (HDB) to permanently reverse the EOF . The method was developed from off-line SPE-CZE-MS and was validated with surface water . The detection limits were 100 ng.L(-1) for all analytes . The method was applied to analyze water samples from the influent and effluent of a sewage treatment plant . A liquid-liquid extraction step was required before SPE, and the compounds studied were found, some of them between detection and quantification limits. Chemosphere, 2004 Nov, 57(8), 863 - 70 Retention characteristics and balance assessment for two polycyclic musk fragrances (HHCB and AHTN) in a typical German sewage treatment plant; Bester K; Measurements of two polycyclic musk fragrances HHCB (galaxolide) and AHTN (tonalide) were measured in wastewater and sludge of a German sewage treatment plant . The metabolite HHCB-lactone was identified and quantified in the same plant . The influent concentrations were about 1900 ng/l HHCB and 580 ng/l AHTN, while in the sludge about 3000 ng/g HHCB and 1500 ng/g AHTN were analysed . About 35% of both compounds passed through the plant unaltered and were discharged to the river . Slightly more HHCB was sorbed to the sludge than was discharged; while for AHTN about twice as much was sorbed to the sludge than was discharged . About 5-10% of the HHCB was oxidised in the plant to HHCB-lactone . The dominant processes in the STP were sorption processes, though. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(4), 169 - 76 Integrated odour modelling for sewage treatment works; Gostelow P et al.; Odours from sewage treatment works are a significant source of environmental annoyance . There is a need for tools to assess the degree of annoyance caused, and to assess strategies for mitigation of the problem . This is the role of odour modelling . Four main stages are important in the development of an odour problem . Firstly, the odorous molecules must be formed in the liquid phase . They must then transfer from the liquid to the gaseous phase . They are then transported through the atmosphere to the population surrounding the odour source, and are then perceived and assessed by that population . Odour modelling as currently practised tends to concentrate on the transportation of odorants through the atmosphere, with the other areas receiving less attention . Instead, odour modelling should consider each stage in an integrated manner . This paper describes the development of integrated odour models for annoyance prediction . The models describe the liquid-phase transformations and emission of hydrogen sulphide from sewage treatment processes . Model output is in a form suitable for integration with dispersion models, the predictions of which can in turn be used to indicate the probability of annoyance . The models have been applied to both hypothetical and real sewage treatment works cases . Simulation results have highlighted the potential variability of emission rates from sewage treatment works, resulting from flow, quality and meteorological variations . Emission rate variations can have significant effects on annoyance predictions, which is an important finding, as they are usually considered to be fixed and only meteorological variations are considered in predicting the odour footprint . Areas for further development of integrated odour modelling are discussed, in particular the search for improved links between analytical and sensory measurements, and a better understanding of dose/response relationships for odour annoyance. J Chromatogr A, 2004 Aug 20, 1047(1), 129 - 35 Comparative study of analytical methods involving gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after derivatization and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of selected endocrine disrupting compounds in wastewaters; Hernando MD et al.; Two GC-MS methods, based on the application of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide-derivatization-GC-MS (selected-ion monitoring) and GC-MS-MS without derivatization, respectively, were optimised and applied to the determination of a group of five selected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in wastewaters . Both methods included solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB cartridges allowing an enrichment factor for wastewater samples of 100-fold . The investigated EDCs were estrone, 17beta-estradiol, 17alpha-ethynylestradiol, 4-tert-octylphenol and bisphenol A . Results obtained from the validation studies yielded comparable results in both cases . Recoveries in spiked wastewaters at 50 ng/l were higher than 90% for all the compounds, except for 4-tert-octylphenol (75%) . Repeatability and reproducibility were adequate, varying from 1.6 to 14%, except for estrone which reproducibility was 28% when the derivatization-GC-MS method was applied . Limits of detection calculated ranged from 2.5 to 27.5 ng/l with differences between both methods from 1.1 (estrone) to 10.4 (bisphenol A) times . Both methods were successfully applied to the analysis of the target compounds in sewage treatment plant influents and effluents . Traces of bisphenol A, 4-tert-octylphenol, estrone and 17beta-estradiol were detected at concentration levels ranging from 13.3 to 1105.2 ng/l. Med J Malaysia, 2004 May, 59 Suppl B, 216 - 7 Biosorption of phenol from aqueous solution by biosolids; Alam MZ; Studies on the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions by adsorption on sewage treatment plant biosolids (BS) as low-cost adsorbent were carried out with an aim to obtain information on treating phenol-containing wastewater from different industries . A series of experiments were undertaken in a batch adsorption technique to access the effect of the process variables i.e . initial phenol concentration, contact time, initial pH and adsorbent dose . The results showed that the adsorption capacity of BS in aqueous solution increased with the decrease in initial concentration and pH, and increase in contact time and dose of adsorbent . The experimental results were fitted by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms to describe the biosorption processes. Waste Manag Res, 2004 Aug, 22(4), 226 - 33 Incorporation of sewage sludge in clay brick and its characterization; Liew AG et al.; This study reports the use of sewage sludge generated from sewage treatment plant (STP) as raw material in a clay brick-making process . The physico-chemical and mineralogical characterization of the sewage sludge and clay were carried out in order to identify the major technological constraints and to define the sludge pretreatment requirements if necessary . Moreover, the effects on processing conditions and/or on changes of typical final characteristics are also evaluated . Bricks were produced with sewage sludge additions ranging from 10 to 40% by dry weight . The texture and finishing of the surface of sludge-amended clay bricks were rather poor . As for the physical and chemical properties, bricks with a sludge content of up to 40 wt.% were capable of meeting the relevant technical standards . However, bricks with more than 30 wt.% sludge addition are not recommended for use since they are brittle and easily broken even when handled gently . A tendency for a general degradation of brick properties with sludge additions was observed due to its refractory nature . Therefore, sludge bricks of this nature are only suitable for use as common bricks, which are normally not exposed to view, because of poor surface finishing. Ecotoxicology, 2004 Jul, 13(5), 449 - 61 Estimating spatial patterns of effluent exposure concentrations in direct toxicity assessment studies; Girling AE et al.; Hydrodynamic models of differing scale and complexity were used to estimate spatial patterns of effluent concentration in discharge plumes in the River Esk and the Lower Tees Estuary . The output from the Tees model was used, in conjunction with measurements of toxicity determined in short-term oyster embryo tests, to predict contours/zones of toxicity in the estuary associated with effluent discharges from four chemical processing sites . One of the discharges also combined the input from a municipal sewage treatment works . The models appeared to be effective in predicting patterns of dilution and dispersion of the effluent discharges in the respective receiving environments . Confirmation of the predictive capabilities of the Tees model was achieved by comparing predicted and measured toxicity in different regions of the plumes associated with the four discharges . Differences between predicted and measured toxicity for two of the four discharges were explicable in terms of failure to take account of the effects of real-time wind conditions when test samples were collected or overlap of adjacent discharge plumes . Suggested refinements to the models and measurement of effluent toxicity would further enhance the utility of this approach for determining the extent and significance of the effects of effluent discharges in receiving environments. J Chromatogr A, 2004 Aug 13, 1046(1-2), 147 - 53 Determination of non-ionic polyethoxylated surfactants in sewage sludge by coacervative extraction and ion trap liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; Cantero M et al.; Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APE, nonyl and octyl) and alcohol ethoxylates (AE, C12-C16) were analysed in sewage sludge by extraction with sodium dodecane sulphonate (SDoS), that undergoes coacervation under acid conditions, followed by quantitation with liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation ion/trap mass spectrometry, in positive ion mode . Coacervative extraction was optimised using an aged, fortified dehydrated sludge . Recoveries ranged from 78 to nearly 100% irrespective of the sludge matrix analysed . The method provided good agreement between the ethoxamer distribution of surfactants after extraction from sludge and that in the original surfactant . Detection limits for polyethoxylated surfactants in the sludge were 0.09-0.38 mg/kg . The procedure was used to assess the concentrations of APE and AE in activated and dehydrated sludge from two sewage treatment plants . Polyethoxylates were found in all samples in the concentration ranges 11-151, 100-138 and 23-141 mg/kg for octylphenol, nonylphenol and individual AE homologues, respectively . The method did not require clean-up or preconcentration steps. J Chromatogr A, 2004 Aug 13, 1046(1-2), 133 - 40 Analysis by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and acute toxicity evaluation for beta-blockers and lipid-regulating agents in wastewater samples; Hernando MD et al.; This paper describes a multiresidue method for the extraction and determination of two therapeutic groups of pharmaceuticals, lipid-regulating agents (clofibric acid, bezafibrate, gemfibrocil, fenofibrate) and beta-blockers (atenolol, sotalol, metoprolol, betaxolol) in waters by solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) . Recoveries obtained from spiked HPLC water, as well as, from spiked real samples (sewage treatment plants influent and effluents, river and tap water) were all above 60%, with the exception of betaxolol with a 52% recovery . The quantitative MS analysis was performed using a multiple reaction monitoring . The LC-MS-MS method gave detection limits ranging from 0.017 to 1.25 microg/l in spiked effluent . Precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation, ranged from 3.7 to 18.5% . Individual and combined effects on Daphnia magna were evaluated for both therapeutic groups . Individual effects in culture medium showed these compounds as not harmful and not toxic, an exception is fenofibrate that was found to be harmful, but at high, in the environment unrealistic concentrations (EC50 of 50 mg/l) . Combined effect in wastewater showed synergistic toxic effects at low concentration level (2 microg/l). Environ Technol, 2004 Jun, 25(6), 733 - 40 Removal of organotins during sewage treatment: a case study; Voulvoulis N et al.; Discharge consents for tributyltin (TBT) from wastewater treatment works in the UK are set by the Environment Agency . These values are normally derived from the Environmental Quality Standards for concentrations of TBT in the receiving water, based on the volume of effluent discharged and subsequent dilution within the environment . In this study, a sampling program was designed to monitor concentrations of TBT (and other organotins) in the influent and effluent at each stage of treatment . Sampling was undertaken at 3 hourly intervals, over 24 hours, at 8 locations throughout the works for five days . Organotin concentrations were determined using capillary gas chromatography with flame photometric detection . The results demonstrated that TBT was consistently present in the influent at concentrations of approximately 0.1 microg l(-1) . However, a "pulse" of TBT and monobutyltin (MBT) was observed on the third day when the concentration of TBT and MBT in the influent increased to 14 microg l(-1) . This "pulse" of TBT and MBT was also observed as the wastewater passed through the unit treatment processes . Concentrations of both compounds were much reduced in the final effluent (TBT 2.5 microg l(-1) and MBT 6.9 microg l(-1)) . Over the entire period, the average removal of TBT during primary treatment was 81%, and during secondary biological treatment was 71% . The overall removal efficiency of the plant, taking into account the recycling of returned liquors was 86% between influent and effluent for TBT . Removal efficiency of TBT was correlated to that of suspended solids, and it was demonstrated that on days when suspended solids removal was low, TBT removal was also reduced . The mass flow of organotins through the plant indicated that the majority of TBT was concentrated into the sewage sludge . Concentrations of TBT in sludge at the plant were approximately 18 microg kg(-1) (dry weight). Sci Total Environ, 2004 Oct 15, 333(1-3), 167 - 84 Investigating the environmental transport of human pharmaceuticals to streams in the United Kingdom; Ashton D et al.; The occurrence of 12 selected pharmaceutical compounds and pharmaceutical compound metabolites in sewage treatment works (STW) effluents and surface waters was investigated . The substances selected for the monitoring programme were identified by a risk ranking procedure to identify those substances with the greatest potential to pose a risk to the aquatic environment . STW final effluent and surface water samples were collected from Corby, Great Billing, East Hyde, Harpenden and Ryemeads STWs . Ten of the 12 pharmaceutical compounds were detected in the STW effluent samples: propranolol (100%, median = 76 ng/l), diclofenac (86%, median = 424 ng/l), ibuprofen (84%, median = 3086 ng/l), mefenamic acid (81%, median = 133 ng/l), dextropropoxyphene (74%, median = 195 ng/l), trimethoprim (65%, 70 ng/l), erythromycin (44%, < 10 ng/l), acetyl-sulfamethoxazole (33%, median =< 50 ng/l), sulfamethoxazole (9%, median =< 50 ng/l), tamoxifen (4%, median =< 10 ng/l) . In the corresponding receiving streams, fewer compounds and lower concentrations were found: propranolol (87%, median = 29 ng/l), ibuprofen (69%, median = 826 ng/l), mefenamic acid (60%, median = 62 ng/l), dextropropoxyphene (53%, median = 58 ng/l), diclofenac (47%, median =< 20 ng/l), erythromycin (38%, median =< 10 ng/l), trimethoprim (38%, median =< 10 ng/l), acetyl sulfamethoxazole (38%, median =< 50 ng/l) . Four human pharmaceutical compounds were detected in samples upstream of the STWs sampled: ibuprofen (57%, median = 181 ng/l), trimethoprim (36%, median < 10 ng/l), erythromycin (17%, median =< 10 ng/l), propranolol (14%, median =< 10 ng/l), suggesting that longer range stream transport of some compounds is possible . The particular STW that was sampled and the month that it was sampled significantly influenced the measured concentrations of several, but not all, substances . There was no significant relationship between usage data and the overall frequency with which different substances were detected . There was however, some evidence to suggest that usage data are positively associated with concentrations of pharmaceuticals in effluent and, particularly, with concentrations measured in surface waters below STWs . These results suggest that most sewage treatment works in England and Wales are likely to be routinely discharging small quantities of pharmaceuticals into UK rivers . None of the pharmaceuticals were found at concentrations that were high enough to cause acute toxic impacts to aquatic organisms . However, insufficient data were available to be able to comment on whether the concentrations measured have the potential to result in more subtle long-term effects on aquatic organisms (e.g . effects on growth, ability to reproduce). Mar Environ Res, 2005 Mar, 59(2), 101 - 17 Partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons between water and particles compared to bioaccumulation in mussels: a harbour case; Hellou J et al.; Water and particles from three sites located in Halifax Harbour, near and further away from combined municipal sewage effluents (CMSE) were analysed for parental and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (par and alkPAH) . Bioavailability of PAH was compared for inter-tidal mussels collected at the same sites in April and November . The PAH fingerprint determined over 9 sampling times covering a period of 19 months differed more between phases (water and particles) and seasons, than between sites . In the spring, more alkPAH associated with diesel and gasoline were detected in the soluble phase, along with more bioaccumulation of alkPAH in inter-tidal mussels . A broader number of parPAH were detected in mussels collected in the fall . The mean sum of dissolved alkPAH concentrations was higher in water at the site closer to raw CMSE than at the other two sites and particles of that site . However, lowest bioconcentration factors (BCF) were determined in mussels of this more contaminated site . Similar biota-particle accumulation factors (BPAF) were determined for parPAH in mussels from the three sites, all lower than the BCF of alkPAH . The study indicates that sewage treatment plants will reduce the amount of parPAH especially larger than fluoranthene and pyrene from being deposited in the harbour; that alk naphthalenes and fluorenes present in water will continue to be discharged; that the disturbance of sediments can make particle-bound PAH available to mussels. J Environ Qual, 2004 Sep-Oct, 33(5), 1924 - 9 Changes in the nature of sewage sludge organic matter during a twenty-one-month incubation; Smernik RJ et al.; Six sewage sludges from five sewage treatment plants in Australia were incubated for up to 21 months . Carbon losses at the end of the 21-mo incubation varied substantially . The remaining organic matter was isolated by treatment with hydrofluoric acid (HF) and characterized using a range of solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques . By every measure (signal distribution in cross polarization {CP} and Bloch decay {BD} spectra, carbon NMR observability determined by spin counting, and the appearance of proton spin relaxation editing subspectra), the chemical composition of the residual organic matter appeared to be little different from that of the original sludges, even for those sludges that experienced the greatest carbon losses . Importantly, these NMR properties distinguish sewage sludge organic matter from soil organic matter . Thus, it should be possible to follow the decomposition of sewage sludge organic matter applied to soils in the field using solid-state (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Environ Toxicol Chem, 2004 Aug, 23(8), 1874 - 80 Estrogenic potential of the Venice, Italy, lagoon waters; Pojana G et al.; The exposure of the Venice lagoon (Italy) to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) from different sources was investigated . Spatial and time distribution of EDC concentrations were determined in four sampling sessions (December 2001-May 2002) by solid phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography separation coupled with mass spectrometry detection via electrospray interface (SPE-HPLC-ESI-MS), which allowed identification of natural (estradiol, estrone) and synthetic estrogenic compounds, both steroidal (ethinylestradiol, mestranol) and nonsteroidal (benzophenone, bisphenol-A, nonylphenol, nonylphenol monoethoxylate carboxylate) . No significant differences in the EDC distribution were observed between stations located near selected sources (raw sewage from the historical center of Venice, treated municipal and industrial effluents from sewage treatment plants, and areas undergoing the inflow of rivers) . While synthetic nonsteroidal analytes were recorded in the 1 to 1040 ng/L range (average concentration: 34 ng/L), steroidal EDC (estradiol, ethinylestradiol) concentrations were lower (1-125 ng/L; average concentration: 8 ng/L) . The estrogenic activity of lagoon waters was estimated in terms of estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ) by applying the estradiol equivalency factors (EEFs) . Steroidal EDCs (estradiol, ethinylestradiol) contributed >97% to the total potential estrogenicity of the waters, which accounted for 4 to 172 ng/L (average: 25 ng/L), as total EEQs . These levels are likely to pose adverse effects on the Venice lagoon aquatic organisms. Chemosphere, 2004 Nov, 57(6), 505 - 12 Assessment of degradation of 18 antibiotics in the Closed Bottle Test; Alexy R et al.; Large quantities of antibiotics are used in health care . After administration, they are discharged into the effluent and reach sewage treatment plants (STPs); if they are not degraded, they will eventually enter the environment . Antibiotics can affect bacteria in the environment and thus disturb natural elemental cycles . For this reason, it is necessary to take a closer look at the fate and effects of these substances in the environment . The biodegradability of 18 clinically important antibiotics and their effects on environmental bacteria was studied using the Closed Bottle Test (CBT) (OECD 301 D 1992) . In addition, a toxicity control was performed in the CBT and the colony forming units (CFUs) were monitored . Disappearance of some of the 18 antibiotics was monitored by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis . The antibiotics were used in two concentrations: (a) according to OECD 301 D in the mg/l-range and (b) on the basis of calculated concentrations in the influent of STPs in the microg/l-range . None of the 18 antibiotics were readily biodegradable . The HPLC analysis showed that some substances were partially or even completely disappeared by a non-biotic mechanism . In the case of some antibiotics, partial biological removal took place in test vessels containing readily biodegradable sodium acetate and the test compound . However, in the toxicity control, toxicity had not been eliminated. Environ Int, 2004 Oct, 30(8), 1151 - 64 Assessing wastewater toxicity to activated sludge: recent research and developments; Ren S; Toxicants in municipal sewage treatment plant (STP) influent wastewater may inhibit the biological activity of the activated sludge and cause treatment plant process upsets . Such process upsets may be avoided if influent wastewater is monitored for toxicity and protective actions are taken when toxicity is detected . A comprehensive review of the methods that can be used for assessing wastewater toxicity to biological treatment systems was conducted several years ago and the resultant report was published in 2000 by Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) . The WERF report also specified the criteria for influent wastewater toxicity monitoring methods and suggested research needs to be addressed . A significant amount of effort was made since the publication of the WERF report to develop new assays or devices and to improve existing ones . In this manuscript, recent research and developments in methods for assessing wastewater toxicity to activated sludge were reviewed . The literature indicates that bioluminescence- and respirometry-based methods received much attention in recent research . A comparison of the new/improved methods with the criteria described in the WERF report reveals that none of these methods has been shown to meet all the specified criteria . The present review also indicates that research efforts since 2000 have not fully taken into account the criteria for influent wastewater toxicity monitoring methods and have not addressed the research needs proposed in the WERF report. Sci Total Environ, 2004 Oct 1, 332(1-3), 155 - 66 Organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticisers in surface waters; Andresen JA et al.; Organophosphates used as flame retardants, plasticisers and lubricants such as tris-(2-chloro-, 1-methyl-ethyl)-phosphate (TCPP), tris-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate (TCEP) or tris-(2-chloro-, 1-chloromethyl-ethyl)-phosphate (TDCP), tri-n-butylphosphate (TnBP), tri-iso-butylphosphate (TiBP), triphenylphosphate (TPP) and tris-(butoxyethyl)-phosphate (TBEP) have been analysed in several rivers and sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents . The concentrations in the River Ruhr are 20-200 ng/l TCPP, 13-130 ng/l TCEP, about 50 ng/l TDCP, 10-200 ng/l TBEP and up to 40 ng/l TPP . The STP effluents exhibit concentrations up to 400 ng/l TCPP, 130 ng/l TCEP, about 120 ng/l TDCP and 500 ng/l TBEP, respectively . The main sources for the load of organophosphates are sewage treatment plants, but not all contribute equivalent to the amount of inhabitants they serve. Environ Pollut, 2004 Dec, 132(3), 489 - 501 Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents (TEQs) in sediment from the Hyeongsan River, Korea; Koh CH et al.; Sediment, pore water and water samples from the Hyeongsan River, Korea were analyzed for several classes of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) and their dioxin-like activities were evaluated using the in vitro H4IIE-luc bioassay . Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in sediments from all six sampling locations with mean concentrations of 2.8 x 10(2) pg/g, 190 pg/g, and 61.4 ng/g, dw, respectively . Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were predominated by 4-6 ring compounds with concentrations in the range of 5.30-7680 ng/g, dw . Chemical profiles of target analytes in sediment and water samples revealed that there was a gradient of concentrations along the river from upstream to downstream, which suggested that the primary source was a wastewater reservoir adjacent to a sewage treatment plant (STP) . TEQs derived by summing the product of concentrations of individual congeners by their respective relative potencies (REPs or TEFs) ranged from 4.3 x 10(-1) to 1.1 x 10(3) pg/g, dw . Raw Soxhlet extracts from all six sampling locations induced significant dioxin-like responses in the H4IIE-luc bioassay . TCDD-EQs derived from H4IIE bioassay ranged from 7 x 10(-3) to 1.5 x 10(3) pg/g, dw, which were significantly correlated with TEQs (r2 = 0.994, p < 0.05) . Among the three Florisil fractions tested, PCDD/Fs in fraction (F2) induced the greatest magnitude of response (range: 24-83%-TCDD-max.) in the H4IIE-luc assay . Comparison of the TEQ and TCDD-EQ suggested little non-additive interaction between fractions and AhR-active and inactive compounds . Concentrations of individual congeners as well as TEQs and TCDD-EQs suggest inputs from the industrial center waste stream in the Hyeongsan River. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 50(1), 117 - 24 Sewage impact on shellfish microbial contamination; Pommepuy M et al.; Coastal areas are frequently contaminated by microorganisms of human origin, due to high population density and low seawater renewal . To evaluate the impact of wastewater input on shellfish quality, a study was conducted in Brittany (France) over a period of 20 months . A hydrodynamic model was used to simulate wastewater impact on microbial water quality . To validate the model, wastewater from the three main sewage treatment plants and shellfish from three sites were sampled monthly . Bacterial indicators (E . coli), F-RNA phages were searched for by culture and noroviruses by RT-PCR and hybridisation . These microorganisms were detected in the three effluents and clams, with no marked seasonal variation . The microbial concentrations in the two oyster beds, distant from the effluent outfall, were low, and only three of the samples were positive for norovirus . For simulation, the winter wastewater inputs of E . coli and phages were calculated and an estimation for norovirus flux was made from the epidemic situation in the population . The microbial behaviour was included in the model by a decay-rate factor . Results from the model calculations were found to be very similar to E . coli and phage concentrations observed in shellfish . For noroviruses, the model indicated that shellfish distant from the wastewater input were under the detection limit of the RT-PCR method . This study demonstrated the use of modelisation to interpret norovirus contamination in various areas. Toxicol Sci, 2004 Nov, 82(1), 97 - 105 Epub 2004 Aug 13. Influence of chronic exposure to treated sewage effluent on the distribution of white blood cell populations in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spleen; Hoeger B et al.; Impairment of immune function in aquatic animals has been proposed as a possible consequence of low-level contamination of surface waters with anthropogenic substances such as through the discharge of wastewater into rivers, lakes, and oceans . The study at hand investigated the effects of chronic (32 weeks) exposure to sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent on the prevalence and distribution of different leucocyte populations in spleen samples of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) . To simulate an infection, fish were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with inactivated Aeromonas salmonicida salmonicida, 6 weeks prior to the termination of the experiment . Immunohistological analysis revealed a marked decrease in thrombocyte numbers, an increase of monocytes, altered distribution of B-cells, and higher surface immunoglobulin expression, as well as activation of MHC class II expression in the spleen after exposure to 15% (v/v) effluent . The most prominent finding of the present study, however, was the occurrence of intraplasmatic deposits or inclusions with strong autofluorescence in spleen sections from effluent-exposed trout . In addition to effluent effects, injection of trout with A . salmonicida stimulated infiltration of monocytes, increased staining intensity on thrombocytes, and enhanced MHC class I expression in larger leucocytes surrounding melanomacrophage centres . In general, the current study demonstrates a marked, potentially adverse effect of STP effluent on spleen leucocytes and on the integrity of spleen tissue . The observed response suggests a constant unspecific stimulation of different leucocyte populations and is reminiscent of chronic inflammation. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(11-12), 1 - 7 Aerobic granular sludge technology: an alternative to activated sludge? de Bruin LM, de Kreuk MK, van der Roest HF, Uijterlinde C, van Loosdrecht MC. Laboratory experiments have shown that it is possible to cultivate aerobic granular sludge in sequencing batch reactors . In order to direct future research needs and the critical points for successful implementation at large scale, a full detailed design of a potential application was made . The design was based on the laboratory results, and two variants of a full-scale sewage treatment plant based on Granular sludge Sequencing Batch Reactors (GSBRs) were evaluated . As a reference a conventional treatment plant based on activated sludge technology was designed for the same case . Based on total annual costs both GSBR variants proved to be more attractive than the reference alternative (7-17% lower costs) . From a sensitivity analysis it appeared that the GSBR technology was less sensitive to the land price and more sensitive to a rain weather flow (RWF) . This means that the GSBR technology becomes more attractive at lower permissible RWF/DWF ratios and higher land prices . The footprint of the GSBR variants was only 25% compared to the reference . However, the GSBR with primary treatment only cannot meet the present effluent standards for municipal wastewater in The Netherlands, mainly because of a too high suspended solids concentration in the effluent . A growing number of sewage treatment plants in the Netherlands are going to be faced with more stringent effluent standards . In general, activated sludge plants will have to be extended with a post treatment step (e.g . sand filtration) or be transformed into Membrane Bioreactors . In this case a GSBR variant with primary treatment as well as post treatment can be an attractive alternative. Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jul 1, 38(13), 3649 - 58 A model to estimate influent and effluent concentrations of estradiol, estrone, and ethinylestradiol at sewage treatment works; Johnson AC et al.; To predict sewage influent and effluent concentrations of the steroid estrogens 17beta-estradiol, estrone, and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol, a review of human excretion was carried out . This included conjugation and metabolism of the natural and synthetic steroid estrogens within the body, together with quantities excreted in the urine and feces by different members of the population . This has been combined with fate and behavior information for conjugated and unconjugated estrogens in the sewage treatment system to enable sewage works influent and effluent concentration predictions to be made . The model has proved to be reasonably accurate when tested against recent measurements of these steroid estrogens in the influent and effluent of sewage treatment works . The model may be used with river dilution ratios to predict which sewage treatment works are most likely to cause the greatest endocrine disruption due to steroid estrogens. Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jul 1, 38(13), 3465 - 73 Life cycle assessment for sustainable metropolitan water systems planning; Lundie S et al.; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is useful as an information tool for the examination of alternative future scenarios for strategic planning . Developing a life cycle assessment for a large water and wastewater system involves making methodological decisions about the level of detail which is retained through different stages of the process . In this article we discuss a methodology tailored to strategic planning needs which retains a high degree of model segmentation in order to enhance modeling of a large, complex system . This is illustrated by a case study of Sydney Water, which is Australia's largest water service provider . A prospective LCA was carried out to examine the potential environmental impacts of Sydney Water's total operations in the year 2021 . To our knowledge this is the first study to create an LCA model of an integrated water and wastewater system with this degree of complexity . A "base case" system model was constructed to represent current operating assets as augmented and upgraded to 2021 . The base case results provided a basis for the comparison of alternative future scenarios and for conclusions to be drawn regarding potential environmental improvements . The scenarios can be roughly classified in two categories: (1) options which improve the environmental performance across all impact categories and (2) options which improve one indicator and worsen others . Overall environmental improvements are achieved in all categories by the scenarios examining increased demand management, energy efficiency, energy generation, and additional energy recovery from biosolids . The scenarios which examined desalination of seawater and the upgrades of major coastal sewage treatment plants to secondary and tertiary treatment produced an improvement in one environmental indicator but deteriorations in all the other impact categories, indicating the environmental tradeoffs within the system . The desalination scenario produced a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to coal-fired electricity generation for a small increase in water supply . Assessment of a greenfield scenario incorporating water demand management, on-site treatment, local irrigation, and centralized biosolids treatment indicates significant environmental improvements are possible relative to the assessment of a conventional system of corresponding scale. Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci, 2003, 68(2 Pt A), 135 - 9 Development of a sustainable treatment technology for domestic sewage; Aiyuk S et al.; We propose an integrated chemical-physical-biological treatment concept for the low-cost treatment of domestic wastewater . Domestic wastewater was subjected to a chemically enhanced primary sedimentation (CEPS), followed by treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor . In addition, a regenerable zeolite was used to remove NH4+, either after CEPS pretreatment or after biological treatment in the UASB reactor . The CEPS pretreatment consisted of the addition of a coagulant (FeCl3) and an anionic organic flocculant and removed on average 73% of the total chemical oxygen demand (CODt), 85% of the total suspended solids, and 80% of PO4(3-) present in the wastewater . The UASB system, which consequently received a low CODt input of approximately 140 mg/L, was operated using a volumetric loading rate of 0.4 g CODt/L.d (hydraulic retention time {HRT} = 10 h) and 0.7 g CODt/L.d (HRT = 5 h) . For these conditions, the system removed about 55% of the CODt in its influent, thus producing an effluent with a low CODt of approximately 50 mg/L . The zeolite, when applied in batch mode before the UASB reactor, removed approximately 45% of the NH4+, whereas its application as a post-treatment cartridge resulted in almost 100% NH4+ removal . The simple design and relatively low operating costs, due to low costs of added chemicals and low energy input (estimated at Euro 0.07-0.1 per m3 wastewater treated), combined with excellent treatment performance, suggest that this system can be used as a novel domestic wastewater treatment system for developing countries . Therefore, the system is called a Low-cost, Integrated Sewage Treatment (LIST) system. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol . 2004 Jul 29; {Epub ahead of print} Degradation of estradiol and ethinyl estradiol by activated sludge and by a defined mixed culture; Weber S et al.; The aerobic degradation of the natural hormone 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and the synthetic hormone 17-alpha-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) was investigated in batch experiments with activated sludge from a conventional and a membrane sewage treatment plant . E2 was converted to estrone (E1), the well known metabolite, and further completely transformed within 3 days . The turnover rates of E2 did not differ greatly between conventional and membrane activated sludge . EE2 was persistent in both sludges . By several transfers into fresh E2-medium an enrichment culture could be selected that used E2 as growth substrate . Further enrichment and isolation led to a defined mixed culture consisting of two strains, which were identified by a polyphasic approach as Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Ralstonia sp., respectively . The culture used E2 and E1 as growth substrates and transformed estriol (E3) and 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone but not the xenoestrogens bisphenol A, alpha-zearalenol, mestranol or EE2 . The turnover rates of E2 were 0.025-0.1 microg h(-1) cfu(-1) and did not depend on the steroid concentration. Environ Toxicol Chem, 2004 Mar, 23(3), 748 - 58 Surveys of plasma vitellogenin and intersex in male flounder (Platichthys flesus) as measures of endocrine disruption by estrogenic contamination in United Kingdom estuaries: temporal trends, 1996 to 2001; Kirby MF et al.; Plasma vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations and the presence of the ovo-testis (intersex) condition have been recorded in male flounder (Platichthys flesus) captured from several United Kingdom (UK) estuaries since 1996 as part of the endocrine disruption in the Marine Environment (EDMAR) project and earlier programs . It has been confirmed that plasma VTG concentrations in male flounder have remained elevated in several UK estuaries (e.g., Tees, Mersey, and Tyne) throughout the period covered by this study . However, the time-series data indicate that plasma VTG, a measure of environmental estrogen contamination, has decreased in fish captured from several estuaries, especially those of the Tyne and Mersey . Shorter time-series data sets from the Forth and Clyde estuaries also suggest a decrease in estrogen contamination at these sites . Trends associated with specific point sources of estrogenic contamination show site-specific patterns . For instance, plasma VTG levels in male flounder captured near the Howdon sewage treatment outfall (Tyne) have shown a steady decline to near baseline levels in 2001, while the plasma of male fish captured at a site adjacent to the Dabholm Gut discharge in the Tees estuary have shown little evidence of a sustained decline . The occurrence of the intersex condition was detected at a low but consistent prevalence through the study period, with the majority of cases recorded in fish captured from the Tyne and Mersey estuaries . The data set does not allow conclusions to be drawn about any temporal trends associated with this condition . The significance of the findings and possible mitigating influences are discussed in terms of the impacts on wild fish and the role of effluent treatment in reducing these. Environ Toxicol Chem, 2004 Mar, 23(3), 599 - 605 Determination of degradation products of alkylphenol polyethoxylates in municipal wastewaters and rivers in Tokyo, Japan; Isobe T et al.; An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of nonylphenoxy acetic acid (NP1EC), nonylphenol monoethoxy acetic acid (NP2EC), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), and nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO) was developed . The method was applied to environmental samples to demonstrate the distribution and behavior of nonylphenol polyethoxylates and their degradation intermediates in aquatic environments in Tokyo, Japan . In sewage treatment plants, more than 85% of NP, OP, and NP1EO were removed, whereas NP1EC and NP2EC were generated during the treatment . Concentrations of NP1EC and NP2EC in secondary effluents (1.9-2.9 microg/L) were higher than those of NP and NPIEO (0.12-0.63 microg/L) . In river waters . NPIEC and NP2EC concentrations (0.11-2.8 microg/L) were higher than NP and NP1EO concentrations (<0.015-3.4 microg/L) . with some exceptions . In surface sediments, neither NPIEC nor NP2EC was detectable (<0.01 microg/g dry wt) whereas NP and NPIEO were detected significantly (0.03-1.82 microg/g dry wt and 0.04-0.46 microg/g dry wt, respectively). Water Res, 2004 Aug-Sep, 38(14-15), 3265 - 74 The estimation of NMVOC emissions from an urban-scale wastewater treatment plant; Atasoy E et al.; The emissions of 19 different non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) from the sewage treatment plant of the province of Eskisehir in Turkey were estimated . The estimations were based on the modified surface-renewal model suggested by EPA . The estimated total annual amounts of the pollutants emitted (from the plant's primary and secondary clarifier units and their weirs, as well as the aerated biological treatment unit) varied between a range of 0.00024 t (1,3-dichlorobenzene) and 0.1646 t (tetrachloroethylene) . The corresponding flux data ranged from 9.98 x 10(-10)g cm(-2) h(-1) (1,3-dichlorobenzene) to 8450 x 10(-10)g cm(-2) h(-1) (tetrachloroethylene) . Resulting total hourly NMVOC emission rate (0.041 kg h(-1)) was found not to exceed the current national standards . This work may be considered as a regional background for a possible contribution to the national and international emission inventory study on NMVOCs. Indian J Environ Health, 2003 Apr, 45(2), 97 - 100 Sewage treatment by anaerobic hybrid reactor; Khan AA et al.; Attempts were made to utilize anaerobic hybrid reactor for sewage treatment . The reactor was seeded with digested sewage sludge and a HRT of 24 hrs . was kept in the start up . The HRT was subsequently decreased to 20, 16, 12, 8 and 4 hrs . A maximum COD removal efficiency of 74% was achieved at minimum HRT . The pH, alkalinity, solids and VFA of the effluent were within the permissible limits. Water Res, 2004 Jul, 38(13), 3031 - 42 Removal of carbon and nutrients from domestic wastewater using a low investment, integrated treatment concept; Aiyuk S et al.; An integrated chemical-physical-biological treatment concept for the low-cost treatment of domestic wastewater is proposed . Domestic wastewater was subjected to a chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT), followed by treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor . In addition, a regenerable zeolite was used to remove NH4+, either after CEPT pretreatment or after biological treatment in the UASB reactor . The CEPT pretreatment consisted of the addition of a coagulant (FeCl3) and an anionic organic flocculant and removed on average 73% of the total chemical oxygen demand (COD(t)), 85% of the total suspended solids, and 80% of PO4(3-) present in the wastewater . The UASB system, which consequently received a low COD(t) input of approximately 140 mg/L, was operated using a volumetric loading rate of 0.4 g COD(t)/L . d (hydraulic retention time {HRT}=10 h) and 0.7 g COD(t)/L . d (HRT=5 h) . For these conditions, the system removed about 55% of the COD(t) in its influent, thus producing an effluent with a low COD(t) of approximately 50 mg/L . The zeolite, when applied in batch mode before the UASB reactor, removed approximately 45% of the NH4+, whereas its application as a post-treatment cartridge resulted in almost 100% NH4+ removal . The simple design and relatively low operating costs, due to low costs of added chemicals and low energy input (estimated at Euro 0.07-0.1 per m3 wastewater treated), combined with excellent treatment performance, means that this system can be used as a novel domestic wastewater treatment system for developing countries . Therefore, the system is called a Low Investment Sewage Treatment (LIST) system. Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jun 15, 38(12), 3247 - 53 Identification of the flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ethane in the environment; Kierkegaard A et al.; The brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ethane, DeBDethane, is marketed as an alternative to decabromodiphenyl ether, BDE209 . There are currently no data available about the presence of DeBDethane in the environment . In this study, DeBDethane was positively identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry and quantified by low-resolution mass spectrometry with electron capture negative ionization in sewage sludge, sediment, and indoor air . It was found in 25 of the 50 Swedish sewage treatment plants investigated, with estimated levels up to about 100 ng/g dry weight . The concentration of DeBDethane in sediment from Western Scheldt in The Netherlands was 24 ng/g dry weight, and in an air sample from a Swedish electronics dismantling facility it was 0.6 ng/m3 . DeBDethane was also found together with nonabromodiphenyl ethanes in water piping insulation . All samples contained BDE209 in higher concentrations as compared to DeBDethane (DeBDethane/BDE209 ratios ranging from 0.02 to 0.7), probably reflecting the higher and longer usage of BDE209 . There is an ongoing risk assessment within the European Union regarding BDE209 . Since DeBDethane has similar applications, it is important to investigate its environmental behavior before using it to replace BDE209. Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(10), 81 - 8 Pilot study of a fluidized-pellet-bed technique for simultaneous solid/liquid separation and sludge thickening in a sewage treatment plant; Wang XC et al.; A fluidized-pellet-bed separator with movable sludge hoppers was applied in pilot scale for the separation and thickening of activated sludge mixture liquid . Under the condition of suspension SS around 4,000 mg/L, polymer (CJX103, cationic, MW 5 x 10(6)) dose at a dry solid ratio of 0.003 and upward flow rate at 5.4 m/hr, the fluidized pellet bed performed solid/liquid separation and sludge thickening well . The SS concentration of the treated water was about 5 mg/L on average and the moisture content of the sludge after screening for 5 min was less than 94%, which is much lower than that after conventional settling and thickening and easy to be finally disposed . At a higher upward flow rate of 7.2 m/hr, similar results could also be obtained but higher polymer dose (solid ratio of 0.004) was required . The morphological characteristics and density-size relationship of the granular particles formed in the fluidized pellet bed were also investigated by image analysis and settling velocity measurement of individual particles . The two-dimensional fractal dimension was evaluated to be 1.6-1.8, showing a good quasi-spherical morphology of the granular particles with their density much higher than the conventional flocs . The results of the pilot study indicate a possible way to innovate the conventional secondary settling and gravitational thickening processes for solid/liquid separation and sludge handling, especially for small scale wastewater treatment plants to reach the goal of space saving and higher treatment efficiency. Trends Biotechnol, 2004 Jul, 22(7), 326 - 30 Hindsight rather than foresight: reality versus the EU draft guideline on pharmaceuticals in the environment; O'Brien E et al.; The strategy of passing much of European Union (EU) waste water through a sewage treatment plant (STP) before discharging it into rivers or lakes has done much to improve the quality of our inland waterways . But we still face a very worrying situation . Environmental problems have surfaced in conjunction with the STPs and their effluent recipients, and attention has turned to human pharmaceuticals and endocrine active substances, in particular, as another source of potential pollutants . Trying to assess the detrimental effects of these chemicals on the aquatic environment represents an extreme cost in terms of animals, time and finance . Instead, it would be better to go back to basics and to prevent entry of these substances into our aquatic environment. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004 Jun, 39(6), 1423 - 34 Stability of bacterial coaggregates in extreme environments; Malik A et al.; The stability of coaggregates formed by the interaction of Acinetobacter johnsonii S35 and Oligotropha carboxidovorans S23, both of which are nonflocculating sludge bacteria, was evaluated by a spectrophotometric assay of aggregation index and phase contrast microscopy . Exposure of coaggregates to conditions of various pH (3-11) or temperature (10-5 degrees C) did not cause significant deflocculation and high aggregation index (85-93%) was still maintained as compared to 93.3% under normal conditions . Further, heat pretreatment of A . johnsonii S35 and O . carboxidovorans S23 cells at 60 or 80 degrees C did not prevent their subsequent coaggregation indicating that the interacting cell surface structures are heat-resistant . However, dual exposure of coaggregates to low temperature (10 degrees C) and extreme pH caused disruption of coaggregates coupled with the reduction in aggregation index below 28% (pH 3) and 49% (pH 11) . Use of sterile filtrate of settled sewage (SFSS) in place of electrolyte solution as coaggregating medium produced usual large coaggregates (above 100 microm) indicating reproducibility of this coaggregation in sewage treatment plants . SFSS coaggregates incurred lesser deflocculation (50 and 85%, respectively) at extreme pH (3 and 11, respectively) and low temperature . This study demonstrated that although bacterial coaggregates are strong and stable against individual pH or temperature stress, a dual stress might deteriorate the performance and quality of treated waters. Mar Pollut Bull, 2004 Jul, 49(1-2), 43 - 60 Benthic changes during 10 years of organic enrichment by McMurdo Station, Antarctica; Conlan KE et al.; A benthic habitat along the coast of McMurdo Station in the Ross Sea, Antarctica is enriched by sewage from the station and altered by hydrocarbons and heavy metals in an adjacent historic dumpsite . We report on 10 years of change in the benthic communities from 1988 to 1998 and compare enrichment effects at Australia's Casey Station, East Antarctica . Despite being 14 km apart, reference communities upcurrent and downcurrent of McMurdo Station remained closely similar over time, dominated in all years by a tube building polychaete, Spiophanes tcherniae . The community bordering McMurdo Station was generally a third as abundant as communities at the reference sites over the decade of sampling, although diversity was as high or higher, except in the most contaminated areas . In 1992, organic enrichment of the outfall community intensified and within the year, the opportunistic polychaetes Aphelochaeta sp., Ophryotrocha notialis, Capitella perarmata, and Leitoscoloplos kerguelensis became dominant . Since 1996, two of the three enriched communities have increased in resemblance to the reference communities . Given the observed responsiveness of the benthos to the outfall so far, further changes are anticipated within the year following implementation of sewage treatment in 2003 . Organic enrichment by McMurdo Station has had a greater impact on benthic community structure than at Australia's Casey Station. Water Res, 2004 Jul, 38(12), 2918 - 26 Behavior of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and hormones in a sewage treatment plant; Carballa M et al.; Two cosmetic ingredients (galaxolide, tonalide), eight pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, diazepam, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, roxithromycin, sulfamethoxazole and iopromide) and three hormones (estrone, 17beta-estradiol and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol) have been surveyed along the different units of a municipal Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Galicia, NW Spain . Among all the substances considered, significant concentrations in the influent were only found for the two musks (galaxolide and tonalide), two anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen and naproxen), two natural estrogens (estrone, 17beta-estradiol), one antibiotic (sulfamethoxazole) and the X-ray contrast medium (iopromide), where the other compounds studied were below the limit of quantification . In the primary treatment, only the fragrances (30-50%) and 17beta-estradiol (20%) were partially removed . On the other hand, the aerobic treatment (activated sludges) caused an important reduction in all compounds detected, between 35% and 75%, with the exception of iopromide, which remained in the aqueous phase . The overall removal efficiencies within the STP ranged between 70-90% for the fragrances, 40-65% for the anti-inflammatories, around 65% for 17beta-estradiol and 60% for sulfamethoxazole . However, the concentration of estrone increased along the treatment due to the partial oxidation of 17beta-estradiol in the aeration tank. Chemosphere, 2004 Aug, 56(6), 583 - 92 Determination of selected pharmaceuticals and caffeine in sewage and seawater from Tromsø/Norway with emphasis on ibuprofen and its metabolites; Weigel S et al.; Selected pharmaceuticals, among them analgesics, ss-blockers and anti-depressants as well as caffeine, the anti-bacterial triclosan and the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-3-toluamide (DEET) were determined in different sewage samples (sewage treatment plants, hospital effluents) from Tromso/Norway and in seawater from Tromso-Sound, into which the sewage is discharged . While caffeine, triclosan, ibuprofen and its major metabolites hydroxy- and carboxy-ibuprofen were present in all sewage samples, additional pharmaceuticals were observed in sewage containing hospital effluents . Concentrations were in the range of 20-293 microg/l (caffeine), 0.2-2.4 microg/l (triclosan) and 0.1-20 microg/l (sum ibuprofen + metabolites) . In seawater, only caffeine (7-87 ng/l), DEET (0.4-13 ng/l) and ibuprofen + metabolites (sum concentration < LOQ-7.7 ng/l) were detected . Ibuprofen and its metabolites hydroxy- and carboxy-ibuprofen were quantified individually by use of the respective reference compounds . Relative amounts of the three compounds were determined in different types of water showing characteristic patterns, with hydroxy-ibuprofen being the major component in sewage whereas carboxy-ibuprofen was dominant in seawater samples . The patterns which were compared to those observed in similar samples from Germany indicated different transformation behaviour under limnic and marine conditions. Water Res, 2004 Jun, 38(11), 2685 - 98 Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the sewage treatment plant of Thessaloniki, northern Greece: occurrence and removal; Katsoyiannis A et al.; The occurrence and the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) during the conventional activated sludge treatment process were investigated in the wastewater treatment plant of the city of Thessaloniki, northern Greece . POPs of interest were seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 19 organochlorine pesticides . Target compounds were determined at six different points across the treatment system . Most abundant compounds in raw wastewater at all treatment stages were PCB-52, PCB-110, PCB-180 and Heptachlor-exo-epoxide . Quintozene occurred frequently but in relatively low concentrations . Hexachlorocyclohexanes, DDT and its metabolites (DDE, DDD) and Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin, Isodrin ("Drins") were found at medium or low frequencies and in concentrations close to their detection limits . Removal percentages throughout the whole treatment process ranged from 65% to 91% for individual POP species . Significant linear relationship was observed between removal efficiency and log Kow for PCBs suggesting that compounds with a strong hydrophobic character are principally removed through sorption to sludge particles and transfer to the sludge processing systems . Total PCBs' concentrations in sewage sludge ranged between 185 and 765 ng g(-1) dw being below the EU limit for use of sludge in agriculture. Sci Total Environ, 2004 Jul 26, 328(1-3), 69 - 81 Identification of organic compounds and ecotoxicological assessment of sewage treatment plants (STP) effluents; Aguayo S et al.; An integrated approach combining chemistry and biological methods was conducted to assess the toxicity of seven sewage treatment plant effluents . Solid phase concentration procedures were applied to facilitate the study of organic micro pollutants . A chemical analysis was performed by GC/MS . Organic fraction toxicity was determined by using bioassays such as Daphnia magna and Chlorella vulgaris tests and sub-lethal effects were also evaluated by using Salmonella typhimurium Test (mutagenicity), recombinant yeast screen (estrogenicity), and Oryzias latipes embryo-larval test . More than 49 compounds were detected in the organic fraction due to the various inputs of each effluents . The most frequently detected compounds in the effluents were bisphenol A (BPA), octylphenol (OP), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP) and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(methylpropyl) ester (DBP) . Biological assays showed toxicity effects on D . magna tests in all samples, whereas toxicity on C . vulgaris or S . typhimurium tests were not observed . Estrogenicity and teratogenicity were observed in several samples . The cause-effect relationship could not be established given the high chemical complexity of the effluents and the lack of information available on 70% of the detected compounds subsequent to reviewing various data bases . Nevertheless, due to the high chemical variability revealed by STP effluents, bioassay sets may provide a very useful amount of information for detecting potential toxicity risks . Health Phys, 2004 Jul, 87(1), 33 - 45 The combined impact on doses to man of multiple, authorized, radionuclide discharges for the year 1999 reaching the upper river thames, uk; Hilton J et al.; Before issuing a new or revised authorization to discharge liquid radioactive waste to a river, past and current practice has been to assess the impact of each discharge on a site-by-site basis . This paper reports an assessment of the combined impact of all the (year 1999) authorized discharges in the upper River Thames (UK) catchment . A modification of the PC-CREAM model, using parameters specific to the upper River Thames, was used to estimate "potential doses" to the population, using the authorized discharge activity for each of the discharges as the main driving variable . The main purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in doses between single and multiple discharges in the Thames . A partial validation of the model against measurements was also carried out as a secondary investigation . The source term of the upper Thames consisted of 90 authorized discharges for 86 sites, made up of three nuclear licensed sites, 36 industrial discharges, 25 research organizations, 20 hospitals and two miscellaneous organizations . Of the authorized discharges, nuclear sites constituted 67% of the total activity in authorizations to discharge; hospitals 16%, research organizations 13%, and industry only 3% . Three radionuclides made up 96% of the total authorized discharge activity: tritium-74%; Tc-15%, and C-7% . No other single radionuclide constituted more than 1.5% of the total activity . All of the discharges from non-nuclear sites were via a sewage works so that, in total, only 39 discrete discharges to the river were included in the model . For the purposes of the assessments, it was assumed that all discharges were at the authorized limits (rather than using actual discharge) . Even with this maximizing assumption, all the calculated potential doses from the combined source terms were significantly less than the radiation dose limit of 1 mSv y for a member of the public . The highest estimated potential doses were investigated further to identify the major pathways . Ingestion of fish was the main pathway in several river stretches and in the highest case constituted 97% of the dose . In a few stretches, external irradiation from the riverbank or ingestion of drinking water were the main pathways, but the potential contribution was a very small percentage (<1%) of the dose limit for members of the public . An investigation of the reasons for the relatively high potential doses resulting from fish showed that the radionuclide with the largest contribution was P . Three factors had a major effect on potential dose estimations in these circumstances: the fish consumption rate, the P concentration factor and the use of P in some cases to represent radionuclides authorized for discharge as "any other radionuclide, except alpha emitters." Using the precautionary principle, all authorized activity in the latter designation was modeled as the radionuclide which would produce the highest dose to humans. Environ Toxicol Chem, 2004 May, 23(5), 1187 - 93 Estrogenicity in bile of juvenile rainbow trout as measure of exposure and potential effects of endocrine disruptors; Allard AS et al.; Estrogenicity in the bile of juvenile rainbow trout exposed to effluents from municipal sewage treatment plants and various industries was assayed by using a recombinant yeast strain containing the human estrogen receptor alpha gene . Estrogenicity in bile also was measured after deconjugation of steroids to provide an estimate of the exposure and as an endpoint for potential effects on the organism . In unexposed fish or fish exposed for three weeks at control localities, 0.5 to 9 ng of estradiol equivalents (EEq) were found per gram of bile (ng EEq/g bile) . Fish exposed for three weeks in cages placed in the receiving waters near outlets of municipal effluent had an average activity of 26 ng EEq/g bile . Fish exposed to undiluted sewage water in aquaria had a bile estrogenicity of 51 to 87,000 ng EEq/g bile . Unconjugated estrogens contributed only 8% or less to the estrogenicity in bile of fish exposed to municipal effluents . Municipal sewage effluents were more estrogenic than the industrial effluents that were investigated . Estrogenicity in bile was compared to that in extracts of wastewater by using the same receptor assay, and to vitellogenin induction in the plasma of the same fish . Bile estrogenicity proved to be a useful and sensitive (internal) measure of exposure and indicated its potential for the display of biological effects as a complement or replacement of more laborious assays. Mar Environ Res, 2004 Aug-Dec, 58(2-5), 327 - 31 Evaluation of toxicity in tributaries of the Mersey estuary using the isopod Asellus aquaticus (L.); O'Neill AJ et al.; Increasing numbers of industrial, agricultural and natural chemicals are present in sewage effluent and are known to elicit toxic effects in laboratory exposures, but little is known of their combined sub-lethal effect in the field . In this study, a combination of esterase activity and ventilation rate assays was performed to determine the neurological and physiological function of the freshwater crustacean Asellus aquaticus (L.) at sites above and below a sewage treatment works (STW) . Cholinesterase and carboxylesterase activities were significantly inhibited (n=8, P<0.05) and ventilation rates increased (n=8, P=0.0001) in A . aquaticus at STW sites compared to those from reference sites, indicating a decrease in neurological and physiological function . The ecological relevance of these findings for the population dynamics of the organisms in the field is discussed. J Environ Monit, 2004 Jun, 6(6), 533 - 9 Epub 2004 Apr 01. Levels of synthetic musk compounds in municipal wastewater for potential estimation of biota exposure in receiving waters; Osemwengie LI et al.; We analyzed water samples from the confluence of three municipal sewage treatment effluent streams, surface water, and whole carp (Cyprinus carpio) for synthetic musks for a period of 7-12 months . The lipid content of each fish was determined and compared with the concentration of musks in the whole fish tissue . Enhanced methods were used for water sampling and musk extraction . The data presented here provide insight as to the relationship between concentrations of synthetic musks in the municipal effluent and associated biota . This study confirmed the presence of polycyclic and nitro musk compounds in sewage effluent, Lake Mead water, and carp . The concentrations were found to be considerably lower than previous studies conducted in other countries . This study also provides data for polycyclic and nitro musk compounds, as well as some of the nitro musk metabolites in sewage treatment plant effluent, lake water, and carp. J Agric Food Chem, 2004 Jun 2, 52(11), 3473 - 7 Fate of enrofloxacin in swine sewage; Pierini E et al.; The fate of enrofloxacin present in raw sewage at a swine-breeding facility was investigated by liquid-liquid extraction and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection . Samples were collected in the storage pits of each pigsty and in a nonaerated lagoon used to stock the sewage . In the pigsties, the sewage was mixed with 10% olive oil groundwater, following a certified procedure (cod . Cer 020301) which reduces the bad odors and produces a better manure . This sewage treatment for 8 months in the lagoon dramatically reduced the amount of enrofloxacin to levels under the detection limit of 0.6 microg.L(-)(1) . The results stress the importance of correct sludge management in limiting the impact of enrofloxacin in the environment. J Environ Manage, 2004 Jul, 71(3), 285 - 92 Effect of pre-hydrolysis on floc structure; Chu CP et al.; Morphological changes in flocs were elucidated by small-angle light scattering, free settling tests and microscopic observation to determine the effects of pre-hydrolysis (alkaline treatment and ultrasonication) on two sludges--primary raw sludge from the Malabar Sewage Treatment Plant, Sydney (sludge M) and biological sludge collected at the nitrogen removal unit of St Marys Sewage Treatment Plant in Sydney (sludge S) . Ultrasonication or alkaline treatment released a mark