Hydration Properties of Eco-Cement Pastes from Waste Sludge Ash Clinkers

Abstract

Three types of hydraulic cements have been developed by incorporating sludge ash from a primary sewage treatment plant and a water purification plant, as well as slag from steelworks (ferrate), as a partial replacement for clay, silica, alumina, and iron oxide in raw cement meal. The raw meal for the pre-determined recipes was prepared by heating it to 1400 °C for 6 hr in a clinkerization process, using a simulated incinerator and smelter. The major components of ordinary Portland cement, C₃S, C₂S, C₃A, and C₄AF, were all found in the clinkers. Of the three types of eco-cements, the eco-cement A paste was most similar to ordinary Portland cement in terms of composition and compressive strength development, while the eco-cement B paste showed early strength development. The differential thermal analysis species analyses indicated that the hydrates in the eco-cement pastes were mainly calcium hydroxide and CSH gels, like those found in ordinary Portland cement paste. Moreover, the degree of hydration, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, increased in all eco-cement pastes with an increasing curing age. The results indicate that it indeed is feasible to use sludge ash and ferrate to replace up to 20% of the mineral components of raw materials for cement.     

Hydration properties of eco-cement pastes from waste sludge ash clinkers

Three types of hydraulic cements have been developed by incorporating sludge ash from a primary sewage treatment plant and a water purification plant, as well as slag from steelworks (ferrate), as a partial replacement for clay, silica, alumina, and iron oxide in raw cement meal. The raw meal for the pre-determined recipes was prepared by heating it to 1400 degrees C for 6 hr in a clinkerization process, using a simulated incinerator and smelter. The major components of ordinary Portland cement, C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF, were all found in the clinkers. Of the three types of eco-cements, the eco-cement A paste was most similar to ordinary Portland cement in terms of composition and compressive strength development, while the eco-cement B paste showed early strength development. The differential thermal analysis species analyses indicated that the hydrates in the eco-cement pastes were mainly calcium hydroxide and CSH gels, like those found in ordinary Portland cement paste. Moreover, the degree of hydration, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, increased in all eco-cement pastes with an increasing curing age. The results indicate that it indeed is feasible to use sludge ash and ferrate to replace up to 20% of the mineral components of raw materials for cement.     

Fate of radiocesium in sewage treatment process released by the nuclear accident at Fukushima

The nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) which occurred after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 resulted in releases of radionuclides such as ¹³⁴Cs (half-life:T_1/2 = 2.06 yr), ¹³⁷Cs (T_1/2 = 30.04 yr) and ¹³¹I (T_1/2 = 8.05 d) to the environment. For this paper, we observed the monthly variations of radiocesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) and stable Cs concentrations in influent, effluent, sewage sludge, and sludge ash collected from a sewage treatment plant 280 km north of the FDNPP from July to December, 2011. Using the stable Cs results, we concluded the mass balance of Cs in the sewage treatment plant showed that about 10% of the Cs entering the sewage treatment plant would be transferred to the sewage sludge, and then Cs in the sewage sludge was totally recovered in the sludge ash. The behavior of Cs was similar to that of Rb, but it was not similar to that of K in the sewage treatment process.     

Decomposition of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl with iron supported on an activated carbon from an ion-exchange resin

An activated carbon (AC) containing a high concentration (374 mg g⁻¹) of Fe was prepared by carbonization of an ion-exchange resin. To examine its chemical reactivity as a catalyst to decompose 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB-153), the decomposition parameters of temperature and time were varied under air or N₂. Decomposition at 350 °C was achieved within 15 min under air and 30 min under N₂, and the efficiency of PCB-153 decomposition was 99.7% and 98.0%, respectively. An analysis of inorganic chloride ions revealed that PCB-153 was mineralized effectively during the decomposition. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and pore volume of the AC were measured to assess the adsorption capacity before and after the decomposition. The differences between decomposition under air and N₂ reflected the differences in the BET surface and pore volume measurements. A decomposition pathway was postulated, and the reactive characteristics of chlorine atoms loaded on the benzene rings followed the order of para > meta > ortho, which agrees with the calculated results from a density functional theory study.     

Conditioning of sewage sludge by Fenton's reagent combined with skeleton builders

Physical conditioners, often known as skeleton builders, are commonly used to improve the dewaterability of sewage sludge. This study evaluated a novel joint usage of Fenton’s reagent and skeleton builders, referred to as the F-S inorganic composite conditioner, focusing on their efficacies and the optimization of the major operational parameters. The results demonstrate that the F-S composite conditioner for conditioning sewage sludge is a viable alternative to conventional organic polymers, especially when ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and lime are used as the skeleton builders. Experimental investigations confirmed that Fenton reaction required sufficient time (80 min in this study) to degrade organics in the sludge. The optimal condition of this process was at pH = 5, Fe²⁺ = 40 mg g⁻¹ (dry solids), H₂O₂ = 32 mg g⁻¹, OPC = 300 mg g⁻¹ and lime = 400 mg g⁻¹, in which the specific resistance to filtration reduction efficiency of 95% was achieved.     

Hydrolysis of di-n-butyl phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in human liver microsomes

Diester phthalates are industrial chemicals used primarily as plasticizers to import flexibility to polyvinylchloride plastics. In this study, we examined the hydrolysis of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in human liver microsomes. These diester phthalates were hydrolyzed to monoester phthalates (mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) from DBP, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) from BBzP, and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP)) by human liver microsomes. DBP, BBzP and DEHP hydrolysis showed sigmoidal kinetics in V-[S] plots, and the Hill coefficient (n) ranged 1.37-1.96. The S₅₀, V_max and CL_max values for DBP hydrolysis to MBP were 99.7 μM, 17.2 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein and 85.6 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein, respectively. In BBzP hydrolysis, the values of S₅₀ (71.7 μM), V_max (13.0 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein) and CL_max (91.3 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein) for MBzP formation were comparable to those of DBP hydrolysis. Although the S₅₀ value for MBP formation was comparable to that of MBzP formation, the V_max and CL_max values were markedly lower (<3%) than those for MBzP formation. The S₅₀, V_max and CL_max values for DEHP hydrolysis were 8.40 μM, 0.43 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein and 27.5 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein, respectively. The S₅₀ value was about 10% of DBP and BBzP hydrolysis, and the V_max value was also markedly lower (<3%) than those for DBP hydrolysis and MBzP formation for BBzP hydrolysis. The ranking order of CL_max values for monoester phthalate formation in DBP, BBzP and DEHP hydrolysis was BBzP to MBzP ? DBP to MBP > DEHP to MEHP > BBzP to MBP. These findings suggest that the hydrolysis activities of diester phthalates by human liver microsomes depend on the chemical structure, and that the metabolism profile may relate to diester phthalate toxicities, such as hormone disruption and reproductive effects.     

Influences of influent carbon source on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and physicochemical properties of activated sludge

It is necessary to understand the bioflocculation, settling and dewatering characteristics in the activated sludge process in order to establish more efficient operational strategies. The influences of carbon source on the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and flocculation, settling and dewatering properties of the activated sludge were investigated. Laboratory-scale completely mixed activated sludge processes were used to grow the activated sludge with different carbon sources of starch, glucose and sodium acetate. The sludge fed with acetate had highest loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and that fed with starch lowest. The amount of tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS), protein content in LB-EPS, polysaccharide content and protein contents in TB-EPS, were independent of the influent carbon source. The polysaccharide content in LB-EPS of the activated sludge fed with sodium acetate was lower slightly than those of starch and glucose. The sludge also had a nearly consistent flocs size and the sludge volume index (SVI) value. ESS content of the sludge fed with sodium acetate was higher initially, although it was similar to those fed with glucose and starch finally. However, the specific resistance to filtration and normalized capillary suction time fluctuated first, but finally were stable at around 5.0 × 10⁸ m kg⁻¹ and 3.5 s L g⁻¹ SS, respectively. Only the protein content in LB-EPS weakly correlated with the flocs size and SVI of the activated sludge. But there was no correlation between any other EPS contents or components and the physicochemical properties of the activated sludge.     

Occurrence of polycyclic musks in wastewater and receiving water bodies and fate during wastewater treatment

The occurrence of cashmerane (DPMI), celestolide, phantolide, traesolide (ATII), galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) in sewage and surface waters and their fate during wastewater treatment and anaerobic sludge digestion is investigated. AHTN and HHCB are the most important representatives and influent concentrations of 0.41-1.8 and 0.9-13 μg L⁻¹ are observed. DPMI is detected in influent and effluent samples but in notably lower concentrations than AHTN and HHCB. Major sources of polycyclic musks are households, whereas industrial emitters seem to be of minor importance. This conclusion is supported by the analysis of selected industrial wastewaters (metal, textile and paper industry). Specific emissions of 0.36 ± 0.19 and 1.6 ± 1.0 mg cap⁻¹ d⁻¹ for AHTN and HHCB are calculated. Overall removal efficiencies between approx 50% and more than 95% are observed during biological wastewater treatment and removal with the excess sludge is the major removal pathway. Log K_D values of 3.73-4.3 for AHTN, 3.87-4.34 for HHCB and 2.42-3.22 for DPMI are observed in secondary sludge. During sludge digestion no or only slight removal occurred. Mean polycyclic musk concentrations in digested sludge amounted to 1.9 ± 0.9 (AHTN), 14.2 ± 5.8 (HHCB), 0.8 ± 0.4 (ATII) and 0.2 ± 0.09 (DPMI) mg kg⁻¹ dry matter. In the receiving water systems a comparable distribution as during wastewater treatment is observed. AHTN, HHCB and DPMI are detected in surface waters (ND (not detected) - < 0.04, ND - 0.32 and ND - 0.02 μg L⁻¹) as well as AHTN and HHCB in sediments (ND - 20, ND - 120 μg kg⁻¹). For HHCB an apparent K_OC value of 4.1-4.4 is calculated for sediments. Major source for polycyclic musks in surface waters are discharges from wastewater treatment plants. For HHCB and DPMI 100% of the load observed in the sampled surface waters derive from discharges of treated wastewater.     

Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on glass surfaces

Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to glass commonly used in laboratories was studied. Sorption coefficients (K_d) of five selected PAHs to borosilicate glass surfaces were measured using column chromatography. A linear relationship between log K_d and the corresponding water solubility of the subcooled liquid (log S_w) of the investigated PAHs was observed. Based on the determined sorption coefficients our data revealed that mass loss caused by sorption on glass walls strongly depends on the ratio of solution volume to contacted surface area (V/S). The influence of solution chemistry such as ionic strength, solution pH, presence of cosolvent, and the influence of temperature on the sorption process were investigated. In the presence of ionic strength, sorption coefficients concurrently increased but less than a factor of 2 up to 0.005 M calcium chloride concentration. However, further increasing ionic strength had no influence on K_d. The cosolvent reduced sorption at a concentration of methanol in water above 0.5% (v/v); however, for benzo[a]pyrene even with 10% (v/v) methanol the mass loss would be still higher than 10% (with a V/S ratio less than 0.25). Significant effects of the solution pH and temperature were not observed. These results suggest that van der Waal’s forces dominate the sorption process. In the analysis of highly hydrophobic PAHs in aqueous samples, mass loss due to sorption on glass walls should be accounted for in the final result if untreated glass is used. The presented relationship between log K_d and log S_w may help to decide if such a correction is necessary. Furthermore, the frequently used silanization of glass surfaces may not be sufficient to suppress sorption for large PAHs.     

Concentrations and sources of Dechlorane Plus in sewage sludge

Sewage sludge from 31 urban Spanish wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) was analyzed for the emerging halogenated flame retardant Dechlorane Plus (DP). Concentrations of the two major isomers in the technical mixture, syn and anti, ranged between 0.903-19.2 and 1.55-75.1 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, respectively. Overall, concentrations of DP were lower than those of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (9.10-995 ng g⁻¹ dry weight) and this is likely related to the higher usage of brominated flame retardants. The average ratio of the syn isomer to total DP (f_syn) was 0.28 ± 0.05, which is similar to that of the commercial mixture. Comparing different wastewater treatment methods, we found lower concentrations in those using biological nitrogen and phosphorous elimination, suggesting that DP is susceptible to microbial degradation and that anti-DP is more so, given the enrichment of syn-DP in the sewage sludge. Principal components analysis revealed significant positive correlation (r = 0.619, p < 0.05) between total DP concentrations with the contribution of industrial input to waste streams. This implies release of DP is related to industrial activity, likely stemming from the use of the technical product during manufacture of consumer goods. However, use and disposal of products containing DP could not be dismissed. According to our knowledge, this is the first report on DP in WWTP sludge.     

Enantioselective toxic effects and biodegradation of benalaxyl in Scenedesmus obliquus

Enantioselectivity in ecotoxicity and biodegradation of chiral pesticide benalaxyl to freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus was studied. The 96 h-EC₅₀ values of rac-, R-(−)-, S-(+)-benalaxyl were 2.893, 3.867, and 8.441 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Therefore, the acute toxicities of benalaxyl enantiomers were enantioselective. In addition, the pigments chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, antioxidant enzyme activities catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as lipid peroxide malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined to evaluate the different toxic effects. Chlorophyll a was induced by S-(+)-benalaxyl but inhibited by R-(−)-benalaxyl at 1 mg L⁻¹. Chlorophyll b were both induced at 1 mg L⁻¹, but S-(+)-form was fourfold higher than R-(−)-form. S-(+)-benalaxyl inhibited more CAT activities at 3 mg L⁻¹ and 5 mg L⁻¹, induced less SOD activity and MDA content at 5 mg L⁻¹ than R-(−)-benalaxyl. Based on these data, enantioselectivity occurred in anti-oxidative stress when S. obliquus response to benalaxyl. In the biodegradation experiment, the half-lives of S-(+)-benalaxyl and R-(−)-benalaxyl were 4.07 d and 5.04 d, respectively, resulting in relative enrichment of the R-(−)-form. These results showed that toxic effects and biodegradation of benalaxyl in S. obliquus were enantioselective, and such enantiomeric differences must be taken into consideration in pesticide risk.     

Photocatalytic degradation of five sulfonylurea herbicides in aqueous semiconductor suspensions under natural sunlight

In the present study, the photocatalytic degradation of five sulfonylurea herbicides (chlorsulfuron, flazasulfuron, nicosulfuron, sulfosulfuron and triasulfuron) has been investigated in aqueous suspensions of zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten (VI) oxide (WO₃), tin (IV) oxide (SnO₂) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) at pilot plant scale under natural sunlight. Photocatalytic experiments, especially those involving ZnO photocatalysis, showed that the addition of semiconductors in tandem with the oxidant (Na₂S₂O₈) strongly enhances the degradation rate of the herbicides in comparisons carried out with photolytic tests. The degradation of the herbicides follows a first order kinetics according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. In our conditions, the amount of time required for 50% of the initial pesticide concentration to dissipate (t_½) ranged from 8 to 27 min (t_30W = 0.3-1.2 min) for sulfosulfuron and chlorsulfuron, respectively in the ZnO/Na₂S₂O₈ system. None of the studied herbicides was found after 120 min of illumination (except chlorsulfuron, 0.2 μg L⁻¹).     

Vermiremediation of dyeing sludge from textile mill with the help of exotic earthworm Eisenia fetida Savigny

The aim of present study was for the vermiremediation of dyeing sludge from textile mill into nutrient-rich vermicompost using earthworm Eisenia fetida. The dyeing sludge was mixed with cattle dung in different ratios, i.e., 0:100 (D₀), 25:75 (D₂₅), 50:50 (D₅₀), 75:25 (D₇₅), and 100:0 (D₁₀₀) with earthworms, and 0:100 (S₀), 25:75 (S₂₅), 50:50 (S₅₀), 75:25 (S₇₅), and 100:0 (S₁₀₀) without earthworms. Minimum mortality and maximum population build-up were observed in a 25:75 mixture. Nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, and pH increased from the initial to the final products with earthworms, while electrical conductivity, C/N ratio, organic carbon, and potassium declined in all the feed mixtures. Vermicomposting with E. fetida was better for composting to change this sludge into nutrient-rich manure.     

Assessment of characteristic distribution of PCDD/Fs and BFRs in sludge generated at municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants

The presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furan (PCDD/Fs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in sludge generated at municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) and industrial wastewater treatment plants (IWTPs) was investigated. The concentrations of these pollutants were in the following ranges: 5.38-7947 ng kg⁻¹ dw (0.02-49.9 ng WHO-TEQ kg⁻¹ dw) for 17 PCDD/Fs, 17.5-66 761 μg kg⁻¹ dw for 27 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 1.55-29 604 μg kg⁻¹ dw for hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) (α-, β-, and γ-diastereomers), and 4.01-618 μg kg⁻¹ dw for tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). Generally, the levels of each compound in the sewage-sludge samples were higher than those in the industrial-sludge samples with some exceptions. The characteristic distribution profiles of target compounds were observed for different types of sludge and different sources of wastewater. High-chlorinated PCDD/Fs were dominant in all samples except those from the textile industry. The distribution of the BFRs in industrial-sludge samples varied, whereas that of the BFRs in sewage-sludge samples was consistent. The proportion of penta-BDEs in sewage sludge was higher than that in industrial sludge, even though BDE-209 was the most dominant congener in all the samples. For HBCDs, the distribution of diastereomers (α-, β-, and γ-HBCD) was similar across sludge samples that had the same source of wastewater and treatment processes.     

Factors affecting the growth rates of ammonium and nitrite oxidizing bacteria

The maximum specific growth rates of both ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were investigated under varying aerobic solids retention time (SRT_a) and in the presence/absence of anoxic (alternating) conditions. Two bench SBRs, reactor R1 and R2, were run in parallel for 150 d. Reactor R1 was operated in aerobic conditions while R2 operated in alternating anoxic/aerobic conditions. The feed (synthetic wastewater), temperature, hydraulic retention time and mixing were identical in both reactors. The SRT_a in both reactors was, sequentially, set at four values: 5, 4, 3 and 2 d.Kinetic tests with the biomasses from both reactors were carried out to estimate the maximum specific growth rates (μ_max) at each tested SRT_a and decay rates, in both aerobic and anoxic conditions. The kinetic parameters of nitrifier were estimated through the calibration of a two step nitrification-denitrification activated sludge model.The results point to a slightly higher μ_max,AOB and μ_max,NOB in alternating conditions, while both μ_max,AOB and μ_max,NOB were shown not to vary in the tested range of SRT_a (from 2 to 5 d) at 20 °C. They were relatively high when compared to literature data: 1.05 d⁻¹ < μ_max,AOB < 1.4 d⁻¹ and 0.91 d⁻¹ < μ_max,NOB < 1.31 d⁻¹. The decay coefficients of both AOB and NOB were much higher in aerobic (from 0.22 d⁻¹ to 0.28 d⁻¹) than in anoxic (0.04 d⁻¹ to 0.16 d⁻¹) conditions both in R1 and R2, which explained the higher nitrification rates observed in the alternating reactor.     

Effects of growth substrate on triclosan biodegradation potential of oxygenase-expressing bacteria

Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent, an endocrine disrupting compound, and an emerging contaminant in the environment. This is the first study investigating triclosan biodegradation potential of four oxygenase-expressing bacteria: Rhodococcus jostii RHA1, Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5, Rhodococcus ruber ENV425, and Burkholderia xenovorans LB400. B. xenovorans LB400 and R. ruber ENV425 were unable to degrade triclosan. Propane-grown M. vaccae JOB5 can completely degrade triclosan (5 mg L⁻¹). R. jostii RHA1 grown on biphenyl, propane, and LB medium with dicyclopropylketone (DCPK), an alkane monooxygenase inducer, was able to degrade the added triclosan (5 mg L⁻¹) to different extents. Incomplete degradation of triclosan by RHA1 is probably due to triclosan product toxicity. The highest triclosan transformation capacity (T_c, defined as the amount of triclosan degraded/the number of cells inactivated; 5.63 × 10⁻³ ng triclosan/16S rRNA gene copies) was observed for biphenyl-grown RHA1 and the lowest T_c (0.20 × 10⁻³ ng-triclosan/16S rRNA gene copies) was observed for propane-grown RHA1. No triclosan degradation metabolites were detected during triclosan degradation by propane- and LB + DCPK-grown RHA1. When using biphenyl-grown RHA1 for degradation, four chlorinated metabolites (2,4-dichlorophenol, monohydroxy-triclosan, dihydroxy-triclosan, and 2-chlorohydroquinone (a new triclosan metabolite)) were detected. Based on the detected metabolites, a meta-cleavage pathway was proposed for triclosan degradation.     

Heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of cyprodinil and fludioxonil in leaching water under solar irradiation

The efficiency of ZnO and TiO₂ suspensions in the photocatalytic degradation of two fungicides (cyprodinil and fludioxonil) in leaching water was investigated. The experiments were carried out at pilot plant scale using compound parabolic collectors under natural sunlight. The blank experiments for both irradiated compounds solutions showed that both oxides strongly enhanced the removal of the fungicides. The addition of an oxidant (Na₂S₂O₈) to the ZnO or TiO₂ increased the rate of photooxidation. The degradation of cyprodinil and fludioxonil followed first order kinetics according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Complete degradation of both fungicides was achieved within 4 h (t_30W = 18 min) when treated with illuminated ZnO. The disappearance time (DT₇₅), when referred to the normalized illumination time (t_30W), was lower than 40 and 550 min (t_30W = 2 and 40 min) for both fungicides using ZnO or TiO₂, respectively. ZnO appeared to be more effective in cyprodinil and fludioxonil oxidation than TiO₂ probably due to its nonstoichiometry.     

Effects of canopy-deposition interaction on H+ supply to soils in Pinus banksiana and Populus tremuloides ecosystems in the Athabasca oil sands region in Alberta, Canada

Soil acidification has been of concern in the oil sands region in Alberta due to increased acid deposition. Using the canopy budget model, and accounting for H⁺ canopy leaching by organic acids, we determined sources and sinks of H⁺ in throughfall in jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands in two watersheds from 2006 to 2009. In pine stands, H⁺ deposition was greater in throughfall than in bulk precipitation while the opposite was true in aspen stands. The annual H⁺ interception deposition was 148.8-193.8 and 49.7-70.0 mol_c ha⁻¹ in pine and aspen stands, respectively; while the annual H⁺ canopy leaching was 127.1-128.7 and 0.0-6.0 mol_c ha⁻¹, respectively. The greater H⁺ supply in pine stands was caused by greater interception deposition of SO₄²⁻ and organic acids released from the pine canopy. Such findings have significant implications for establishing critical loads for various ecosystems in the oil sands region.     

Characterization of polychlorinated biphenyls and brominated flame retardants in sludge,sediment and fish from municipal dumpsite at Surabaya,Indonesia

We investigated the PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs contamination in sludge, sediments and fish from various locations including raw leachate pond, leachate treatment plans (LTPs), control wells and reference site at open landfill of municipal dumpsite, Surabaya City, Indonesia. 62 PCBs and 14 PBDEs congeners, and 3 HBCDs isomers were identified and quantified using GC–MS and LC–MS/MS, respectively. Concentration ranges and median (value in parentheses) of PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs were from not detected (ND) to 60 (3.9) ng g⁻¹ dw, 0.0075 to 45 (4.5) ng g⁻¹ dw and ND to 2.8 (0.052) ng g⁻¹ dw in sludge and sediments, respectively. While in two polled of fish samples were 30–55 ng g⁻¹ lw, 6.6–11 ng g⁻¹ lw and 1.6–3.3 ng g⁻¹ lw, respectively. Among the sampling sites, the highest level of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in sludge from raw leachate pond. However, PCBs and PBDEs levels were showing decreased in LTP-1 that could be due to the bacterial degradation but not in LTP-2, HBCDs were more stable in both LTPs. Levels of PCBs and BFRs in sludge at the present study were lower than those reported in sewage sludge reported from some other countries. PCBs profiles were mainly composed in that order by CB-138, -153, -180, -101, -118 and -28, while by BDE-47, -99, -100, -153, -154 and -28 for PBDEs in sludge, sediments and fish. Profiles of HBCDs were predominantly composed by γ- and α-isomers in sludge and fish, respectively. Debromination, dechlorination, commercial formulations used and congener-specific accumulation of those contaminants are the factors influenced the profiles.