东江下游污染源和纳污水体的雌激素效应水平

利用重组双杂交酵母快速检测技术分析了东江下游两个污水厂、8个工业废水排放口和6条受纳河流水体共16个样品中的雌激素效应物质浓度,并按照雌二醇当量(EEQ)计算了水中雌激素效应水平。在被检测废水样品中,排水的EEQ值处于0.3~2.8ng/L之间,其中造纸厂与纸制品厂排水具有明显雌激素效应。采自河涌的6个样品有4个样品检出雌激素活性,雌激素效应水平在1.9~8.8ng EEQ/L之间。结果表明,东江下游行业废水处理厂出水中的EEQ浓度应与河涌水体中的EEQ在相同数量级, 与国内报道的其他地区河流及工厂排水污染水平类似。污染较为严重的河涌水体雌激素水平明显高于污水处理厂及工厂排水,推断污染河涌水体中的雌激素效应物质应来自未经处理的污染源。     

Microbiological water quality of the Mfoundi River watershed at Yaoundé, Cameroon, as inferred from indicator bacteria of fecal contamination

Using the membrane filtration technique to count total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS), the microbiological water quality of the Mfoundi River and four of its representative tributaries at Yaoundé, Cameroon, was assessed for human use and contact. Sampling was conducted so as to examine the potential origin of fecal contamination and how rainfall affects the measured concentrations of indicators organisms. Our results revealed that waters were not safe for human use or primary contact according to the standards for water quality established by the Word Health Organization (WHO). Indeed, these waters exhibited high concentrations of TC (Mean ± SD=5.6 × 10⁸ ± 2.5 × 10⁶ CFU/100 ml), FC (Mean ± SD=6.8 × 10⁵ ± 2.4 × 10³ CFU/100 ml) and FS (Mean ± SD=7.3 × 10⁵ ± 2.1 × 10³ CFU/100 ml) that varied with the sampling sites and points. FC/FS ratio suggested that this contamination was more from warm-blooded animals than humans and correlation analysis points to the role of rainfall as a contributing factor, which enhanced the bacterial numbers detected. We conclude that there is a great potential risk of infection for users of waters from the Mfoundi River and its tributaries at Yaoundé.     

Polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS): application for monitoring organic micropollutants in wastewater effluent and surface water

In this paper, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) for the evaluation of river water quality downstream of wastewater treatment plants. POCIS proved well adapted to sampling alkylphenols and several pharmaceuticals. Concentration factors and the decrease in limits of quantification, compared to grab water sample analyses, were significant except for hormones, β-blockers and bronchodilators. Promising preliminary results obtained in situ on deuterated atenolol used as a performance reference compound need to be confirmed in-lab. This work confirms that POCIS is a valuable tool for monitoring hydrophilic organic molecules in river and wastewaters.     

Water quality of arctic rivers in Finnish Lapland

The water quality monitoring data of eight rivers situated in the Finnish Lapland above the Arctic Circle were investigated. These rivers are icebound annually for about 200 days. They belong to the International River Basin District founded according to the European Union Water Framework Directive and shared with Norway. They are part of the European river monitoring network that includes some 3,400 river sites. The water quality monitoring datasets available varied between the rivers, the longest comprising the period 1975–2003 and the shortest 1989–2003. For each river, annual medians of eight water quality variables were calculated. In addition, medians and fifth and 95th percentiles were calculated for the whole observation periods. The medians indicated good river water quality in comparison to other national or foreign rivers. However, the river water quality oscillated widely. Some rivers were in practice in pristine state, whereas some showed slight human impacts, e.g., occasional high values of hygienic indicator bacteria.     

Effectiveness of Treatment Technologies for Wastewater Pollution Generated by Indian Pulp Mills

India has a large number of paper manufacturing units, with mills varying in size of operations and type of product, scattered all over the length and breadth of the country. Present study deals with the survey of four different pulp and paper mills (Mill A, Mill B, Mill C and Mill D) in India, differing in their scale of operation as well as raw material usage. Physico-chemical characterization of wastewaters produced by different processing units like digestor house liquors, bleaching section, paper machine backwaters, combined inlet to the ETP and outlet to ETP, for all the four mills, was conducted. Different parameters like pH, Color, COD, BOD, percent Na, SAR, TDS and Total hardness were analyzed and compared. Highly significant differences were thus found between all the processing units of all four mills with p values < 0.01. This evaluation showed that though these mills have effluent treatment facilities installed in their premises, improvements are still needed to increase their efficiencies for treating the discharged wastewaters.     

Change in drinking water quality from source to point-of-use and storage: a case study from Guwahati, India

To ascertain the quality of drinking water being supplied and maintained at Guwahati, the study was conducted on the status of water supply in city through surveillance of drinking water quality for consecutive 7 days at various treatment stages, distribution network and consumer ends. The performance of five water treatment plants (WTPs), viz. Panbazar WTP, Satpukhuri WTP, Kamakhya WTP, PHED WTP and Hegrabari WTP were assessed for summer, piost-post-monsoon and winter seasons. No significant change in raw water quality was observed on day-to-day basis. Residual chlorine was found in the range of nil to 0.2 mg/L in the treated water. During post-monsoon, winter, and summer seasons the thermotolerent TC and FC counts ranged between Nil to 168 CFU/100 ml and Nil to 84 CFU/100 ml; Nil to 3356 CFU/100 ml and Nil to 152 CFU/100 ml; and Nil to 960 CFU/100 ml and Nil to 108 CFU/100 ml respectively. There was variation in bacterial counts among the different service reservoirs and consumer ends, which may be attributed to the general management practices for maintenance of service reservoirs and the possibility of enroute contamination. Evaluation of the raw water quality indicate that the water is suitable for drinking after conventional treatment followed by disinfection. The finished water quality meets the level of standards described as per Bureau of Indian Standard specifications (BIS:10500 1991) for potability in terms of its physico-chemical characteristics.     

Evaluation of phosphorus loads from Ontario municipal wastewater treatment plants

Results are presented from an evaluation of the nature and accuracy of phosphorus loads discharged by Ontario municipal wastewater treatment plants into the Great Lakes. Data were examined for the 96 plants treating flows in excess of 4546 m³d^-1 for the period 1981 to 1985. For the Lake Erie, Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River and Upper Great Lakes basins, total basin phosphorus loads were classified according to type of wastewater treatment system, the type of chemical added for phosphorus removal, plant capacity, and sampling frequency. Load estimation techniques were compared using the 1985 daily data from three representative treatment plants. Annual phosphorus loads were compared using the complete data records for the plants and using Monte Carlo techniques to simulate an incomplete data record typical of once per week effluent phosphorus sampling. Potential sources of bias were identified in annual phosphorus load estimates from municipal treatment plants.     

Monitoring of water quality and assessment of organic pollution load in the nilüfer stream, Turkey

This article presents the results of an investigation carried out on the Nilüfer stream located in the southern part of Marmara region in Turkey 1999–2003. It evaluates water quality and proposes local requirements to prevent aquatic pollution problems. The study took into account the seasonal influences of point and non-point discharges on the organic pollution levels of the stream. The results indicated sub-standard water quality in most parts of the stream. Untreated domestic wastewaters, industrial discharges and agricultural activities contributed to the total annual organic loading. This study reveals the importance of construction, operation, maintenance and legislation of wastewater collection and treatment programmes, as well as the need for strict control of point and non-point nutrient loads for the preservation of the Nilüfer stream's water quality. Appropriate strategies for the control of point and non-point pollution sources, amendments and enforcement of legislation should be developed.     

Seasonal and spatio-temporal distribution of faecal-indicator bacteria in Tyume River in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

We assessed the incidence of faecal-indicator bacteria in Tyume River over a 12-month period between August 2010 and July 2011. Total coliforms, faecal coliforms and enterococci were determined by the membrane filtration method. Total coliforms were detected in counts ranging from 2.1?×?10² to 3.4?×?10⁴?CFU/100 ml. Faecal coliform counts ranged from 1?×?10² to 1.6?×?10⁴?CFU/100 ml while enterococci counts were in the range of 3.3?×?10¹ to 5.1?×?10³?CFU/100 ml. Indicator bacteria counts increased from upstream to downstream sampling sites. Counts of indicator bacteria at all sites were significantly affected by seasonal changes. The bacteriological qualities of the river water were poor, exceeding the guideline of 200 CFU/100 ml and 33 CFU/100 ml for faecal coliforms and enterococci, respectively, for recreational water. Faecal coliform counts also exceeded the 1,000 CFU/100 ml guideline for water used in fresh produce irrigation. Microbial source tracking results showed that faecal pollution was predominantly of human origin during spring at all sampling sites. During other seasons, human faecal pollution was largely confined to midstream and downstream sampling sites. Generally, the presence of faecal-indicator bacteria in the river water samples suggests faecal pollution of this freshwater resource, raising the possibility of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the water and a threat to public health.     

Characterization of domestic wastewater treatment in Oman from three different regions and current implications of treated effluents

Treated effluents become one of the most significant sources for irrigation and other activities in arid and semi arid countries such as Oman. This study focuses on characterizing the quality of domestic wastewater in chosen three regions: Muscat, Sohar, and Salalah. The knowledge on treatment processes, quality, and proper management of domestic wastewater reuse for various purposes is essential. Wastewater samples were collected from six different sewage treatment plants (STPs) over a period of 1 year in 2009 on a monthly basis. The raw sewage (RS) and treated effluent (TEs) samples were collected from different sampling points in each STP. Both types of samples were analyzed for physicochemical and microbiological assessment. All tests were conducted according to the standard method for the examination of water and wastewater. The results revealed that the TEs electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, heavy metals, sodium, potassium, and total dissolved solids values were found within Omani Standards (OS). The RS in all STPs was categorized as high strength concentration and samples exceeded the acceptable range for ammonia in most of the selected plants except Sohar and Salalah. Nitrate values in RS were also observed in higher concentrations. In general, the produced TEs have met most of regulatory limits stated by OS except for nitrate, Escherichia coli and total suspended solids (TSS). Furthermore, it should be noted that the performance of Salalah and Darsayt STPs can be classified as the best compared to the other four STPs studied in Oman.     

Efficiency evaluation of sewage treatment plants with different technologies in Delhi (India)

Physical, chemical and microbiological efficiencies of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) located in Delhi's watershed in context of different treatment technologies employed in these plants have been determined. There were in all seventeen STPs treating domestic wastewater which were studied over a period of 12 months. These STPs were based on Conventional Activated sludge process (ASP), Extended aeration (Ex. Aeration), physical, chemical and biological removal treatment (BIOFORE) and oxidation pond treatment process. Results suggests that except "Mehrauli" STP which was based on Extended aeration process and "Oxidation pond", effluents from all other STPs exceeded FC standard of 10(3) MPN/100 ml for unrestricted irrigation criteria set by National river conservation directorate (NRCD). Actual integrated efficiency (IE(a)) of each STP was evaluated and compared with the standard integrated efficiency (IE(s)) based upon physical, biological and microbiological removal efficiencies depending upon influent sewage characteristics. The best results were obtained for STPs employing extended aeration, BIOFORE and oxidation pond treatment process thus can be safely used for irrigation purposes.     

厌氧-缺氧-好氧处理工艺的污水处理厂进出水的毒性评价

为了准确评估厌氧-缺氧-好氧（A²/O）处理工艺对废水毒性的削减效率，采用斑马鱼胚胎急性毒性实验、发光细菌急性毒性实验和小鼠L929细胞毒性实验进行测试，结合理化指标，通过毒性当量（TU）法、平均毒性（AvTx）法、毒性指数（TxPr）法、最敏感测试（MST）法和潜在生态毒性效应（PEEP）法对常州市6家污水处理厂（生活污水、综合废水、化工废水、制药废水）进水和出水的生物毒性进行了评价。结果表明，斑马鱼胚胎的毒性敏感程度最高，3种受试生物的毒性评价结果具有较好的一致性。理化达标的污水处理厂出水仍存在一定的生物毒性效应，出水毒性较大的是综合污水处理厂，排入受纳水体后可能会对周围的生态环境产生潜在的生态风险。A²/O处理工艺对各污水处理厂进水的毒性削减较好，其中对制药废水的毒性削减最高，AvTx、TxPr、MST和PEEP的毒性削减率分别为99.45%、99.64%、99.48%和69.66%。与AvTx、TxPr、MST法相比，PEEP法能够更综合地评价废水毒性。     

Occurrence and distribution of benzothiazole in the Schwarzbach watershed (Germany)

This study quantifies the regional distribution of the micropollutant benzothiazole (BT) in river water by sampling 15 river sites in the Schwarzbach watershed (about 400 km(2)) from November 2008 to February 2010. Additionally, wastewater samples from three municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Germany were analyzed. BT was detected in all wastewater influent and effluent samples as well as in all river water samples collected downstream of wastewater discharge. This corroborates the ubiquitous occurrence of BT in the aqueous environment. Concentrations were between 58 and 856 ng L(-1) in the river water. The observed mean concentration at the outlet of the investigated catchment was 109 ng L(-1). With only a few exceptions, temporal and spatial variations of BT concentrations in river water were low. Rather similar BT concentrations over a wide range of river discharge indicate that dilution along the mainstream is negligible and, thus, supports the hypothesis that paved surface runoff during rain events is an important BT source not only for wastewater influent but also for river water. This was supported by detecting the highest BT concentrations at sampling locations close to the dense highway network around the city of Frankfurt. Since BT was also detected in river water collected from locations that were clearly unaffected by wastewater effluent discharge, surface runoff must be considered as a diffuse source of BT in river water.     

Impact of human activities on the quality of river water: The case of Evrotas River catchment basin,Greece

The impact of point (domestic and industrial effluents) and non-point (agricultural land runoff) pollution sources on the quality of the receiving waters of the Evrotas River (Laconia, Greece) was investigated during a monitoring study from August 1991 to August 1992. The part of the river which was located near the city of Sparta was seasonally influenced by the discharge of effluents from orange juice plants (operating during winter) and by the discharge of septage for the emptying of cesspools which are serving part of the city. The low dilution of incoming pollutants (septage) during the low water flow in summer lead to the decreasing self-purification capacity of the river and the development of septicity conditions in some of its parts. In the vicinity of intensively cultivated areas, the high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus which were detected in the river water during winter and spring may be partly attributed to the leaching of the applied fertilizers because of nirogen mobilization and soil erosion, following the season's precipitations. The protection of the Evrotas River water Quality must therefore include adequate treatment of the septage produced in the area, as well as the construction of wastewater treatment plants for the major industries of the area. The non-point pollution could be controlled by the restoration of the Evrotas riparian vegetation, together with a more rational use of fertilizers in the area.     

River water quality and pollution sources in the Pearl River Delta, China

Some physicochemical parameters were determined for thirty field water samples collected from different water channels in the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone river system. The analytical results were compared with the environmental quality standards for surface water. Using the SPSS software, statistical analyses were performed to determine the main pollutants of the river water. The main purpose of the present research is to investigate the river water quality and to determine the main pollutants and pollution sources. Furthermore, the research provides some approaches for protecting and improving river water quality. The results indicate that the predominant pollutants are ammonium, phosphorus, and organic compounds. The wastewater discharged from households in urban and rural areas, industrial facilities, and non-point sources from agricultural areas are the main sources of pollution in river water in the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone.     

Monitoring of pharmaceutically active compounds on the Guadalquivir River basin (Spain): occurrence and risk assessment

Guadalquivir River (South of Spain) is among the major freshwater sources of the European Atlantic basin. Until now scientific efforts have been focused on contamination by heavy metals and some priority pollutants in Guadalquivir River. However, the presence of "emerging contaminants", such as pharmaceutically active compounds, has not yet been studied. In this work the occurrence and risk assessment of sixteen pharmaceutically active compounds, belonging to different therapeutic groups, in Guadalquivir River during its course through Seville city are reported. Wastewater effluents from four wastewater treatment plants discharging into Guadalquivir River and river water samples were analyzed. All studied pharmaceutically active compounds, except sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, estrone and clofibric acid, were detected in effluent wastewaters at concentration levels up to 28.9 μg L(-1). Among the pharmaceutically active compounds found in effluent wastewater, seven were present in Guadalquivir River samples at concentration levels up to 0.75 μg L(-1), which indicated an important dilution from effluent discharge. Environmental risk assessment reveals that potential ecotoxicological risk cannot be expected on Guadalquivir River at measured concentration levels. Only, the lipid regulator gemfibrozil showed a medium risk for the environment. The risk for acute toxic effects in the environment with the current use of active pharmaceutical ingredients is unlikely. However, the results do not rule out the potential for chronic environmental effects.     

An overview of pharmaceuticals and personal care products contamination along the river Somes watershed, Romania

The mass flows of selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were studied in the aqueous compartment of the river Somes in Romania. PPCPs were measured in wastewater treatment effluents and in the receiving river water. The analytical method for the determination of PPCPs in river water was based on solid phase extraction and GC-ITMS. Carbamazepine, pentoxyfylline, ibuprofen, diazepam, galaxolide, tonalide and triclosan were determined in wastewater effluents with individual concentrations ranging from 15 to 774 ng L(-1). Caffeine was measured at concentrations up to 42 560 ng L(-1). Due to the high contamination of WWTP effluents, the receiving river was also polluted. The most abundant PPCPs measured in the Somes were caffeine, galaxolide, carbamazepine and triclosan. They were present at all the 15 sampling sites along the Somes, the concentrations ranging from 10 to 400 ng L(-1). The concentrations in the effluents of the different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) varied considerably and the differences are due to different elimination efficiencies of the studied PPCPs during sewage treatment. Only one of 5 WWTPs studied, the WWTP in Cluj-Napoca, was working properly, and therefore technical measures have to be taken for upgrading the WWTPs and reducing the environmental load of micropollutants. This study is the first overview of PPCPs along on Romanian part of river Somes.     

Assessment of physicochemical parameters and prevalence of virulent and multiple-antibiotic-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> in treated effluent of two wastewater treatment plants and receiving aquatic <Emphasis Type="Italic">milieu</Emphasis> in Durban,South Africa

The poor operational status of some wastewater treatment plants often result in the discharge of inadequately treated effluent into receiving surface waters. This is of significant public health concern as there are many informal settlement dwellers (ISDs) that rely on these surface waters for their domestic use. This study investigated the treatment efficiency of two independent wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Durban, South Africa and determined the impact of treated effluent discharge on the physicochemical and microbial quality of the receiving water bodies over a 6-month period. Presumptive Escherichia coli isolates were identified using biochemical tests and detection of the mdh gene via PCR. Six major virulence genes namely eae, hly, fliC, stx1, stx2, and rfbE were also detected via PCR while antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were determined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay. The physicochemical parameters of the wastewater samples ranged variously between 9 and 313.33 mg/L, 1.52 and 76.43 NTUs, and 6.30 and 7.87 for COD, turbidity, and pH respectively, while the E. coli counts ranged between 0 and 31.2?×?10³ CFU/ml. Of the 200 selected E. coli isolates, the hly gene was found in 28 %, fliC in 20 %, stx2 in 17 %, eae in 14 %, with stx1 and rfbE in only 4 % of the isolates. Notable resistance was observed toward trimethoprim (97 %), tetracycline (56 %), and ampicillin (52.5 %). These results further highlight the poor operational status of these WWTPs and outline the need for improved water quality monitoring and enforcement of stringent guidelines.     

A Study of Eichhornia crassipes Growing in the Overbank and Floodplain Soils of the River Yamuna in Delhi, India

River Yamuna, like most of the major rivers of India, has become increasingly polluted over the years from both point and non-point sources, particularly in the urban sectors such as Delhi. Field studies, conducted in January, 1994 have investigated the impact of wastewater discharges from four major drains (Najafgarh, Power House, Barapula, Kalkaji) on the overbanks, floodplains and Eichhornia in River Yamuna in Delhi, with particular reference to elemental contamination. It is concluded that except for Cd and Co, overall mean soil concentrations along the full stretch of the river in Delhi are within the world background levels of uncontaminated soils. However, the wastewater discharges from the drains, with the exception of Barapula drain, generally increase the elemental concentrations of overbank soils downstream of the discharges. Eichhornia plants growing along the banks receiving wastewaters from the Najafgarh and Barapula drains are unhealthy and reduced in population which can be attributed to a combination of alkaline pH of the growth medium, metal toxicity and high BOD at the site receiving effluents from the Najafgarh drain, and alkaline pH, metal toxicity and the turbid conditions of water with fly ash particle deposition on the plant surfaces at the site receiving effluents from the Barapula drain. Generally, considering the entire stretch of the river in Delhi, the roots of these plants growing on the overbank soils are found to be accumulators of all elements except Co, Al and Fe, with Co uptake being minimal. There are marked differences in elemental uptake of the water hyacinths growing on the overbanks and floodplains of the river.     

Sources and distribution of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in Japanese river sediment

The distribution of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in the sediment of three Japanese rivers with different characteristics (i.e., population and potential source in the catchment) was investigated and compared with the results estimated using a multimedia fate model (ChemCAN). High concentrations of HBCD in sediments in the range of 134-2060 ng g(-1) were found in a river receiving textile wastewater. This contrasted with the much lower concentrations (0.8-4.8 ng g(-1)) observed for an urban river (with a surrounding population of 1.8 million). The medians of observed HBCD concentrations in each river were close to those estimated based on the assumed input source (e.g., 1810 ng g(-1) for the observed median concentration, and 1436 ng g(-1) for the estimation, in the Kuzuryu River). These results demonstrated the importance of considering source contributions of HBCD, including both industrial and consumer sources, to aquatic environments, for reliable risk management.