Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sludge from Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants by GC-MS

Abstract

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge samples from drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) were established using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method was suitable to quantify PAHs in the sludge of DWTP and WWTP and it was confirmed by the relevant quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures. The recovery of individual PAHs in the spiked samples ranged from 74.3% to 108.7%. Detection limits of the analytical procedure were 0.0010–0.0046 mg/kg dw for individual PAHs. This method was used to determine the concentration of PAHs in the selected two DWTP and four WWTP sludge samples. The results showed that the total PAHs (∑PAHs) were in low levels which ranged from 0.0668 to 0.1357 mg/kg dw, and 0.5342–1.0666 mg/kg dw for DWTP and WWTP respectively. The 3- & 4-ring PAHs were predominant in DWTP sludge, ranging from 77.4% to 82.7%; the 4-ring PAHs were predominant in WWTP sludge, ranging from 40.7% to 47.6%. The PAHs of DWTP sludge are mainly composed of 3-ring phenanthrene and anthracene and 4-ring pyrene, and chrysene. The PAHs of WWTP sludge are dominated by 4-ring fluoranthene, pyrene, and chrysene. The detected PAHs concentration should be undoubtedly considered for agriculture in sludge applications based on the limits of the EU regulations. The results of this study can be used for regular monitoring to establish a reference for sludge management and application to agriculture.

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Methylated Derivatives in Sewage Sludge from Northeastern China: Occurrence, Profiles and Toxicity Evaluation

“…The comparison of the PAHs and Me-PAHs mean concentrations in sludge discovered from other researches around the world was shown in Table 2 . The mean concentration of PAHs in this study was 2030 dw, much greater than four sludge sites in Taiwan China (750 ng/g dw) [ 11 ], twelves sewage sludge from Beijing, China (1551 ng/g dw) [ 29 ], nineteen sewage sludge from Guangdong Province China (1276 ng/g dw) [ 7 ], but lower than the level in four sewage sludge from Harbin, Northeast China (8200 ng/g) [ 32 ], six sludge from Guangdong, China (3466 ng/g dw) [ 33 ], six Wastewater sludge from Korea (10,400 ng/g dw) [ 30 ], nineteen sludge from Madrid (5118 ng/g dw) [ 34 ], nine sewage sludge from northern and central Tunisia (11,216 ng/g dw) [ 14 ], and eleven sewage sludge from the mainland and Hong Kong, China (30,000 ng/g dw) [ 9 ]. However, the level in this study was very close to three sewage sludge from Paris (2518 ng/g dw) [ 35 ].…”

“…This was in contrast with the previous finding as follows: sewage sludge from Tunisia was reported to be dominated by 4-ring [ 14 ]; similarly, in sewage sludge from Korea, high molecular weight 4-ring such as pyrene was the most abundant [ 30 ]. Four-ring PAHs were reported to be the most abundant compounds and accounted for 86% of ∑PAHs from Guangdong Province, China [ 31 ], and four-ring PAHs were prevalent in sewage sludge found in southwestern Taiwan, China [ 11 ].…”

“…PAHs and Me-PAHs in sludge through different pathways enter the environment; basically, it depends mostly on the sludge removal processes, land application after appropriate treatment is suggested approach of final sludge removal [ 10 ]. The differences in PAHs concentration in the sludge are assessed, basically depending on the geographical differences as well as the nature of the WWTPs processes [ 11 ]. Furthermore, change of soil PAHs concentration after addition of sludge the combined outcome of several mechanical, such as adsorption, desorption, bioformation, volatilization, photodegradation, leaching, and incorporation into the structure of the humic substance [ 12 ].…”

A review of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their substitutions in full‐scale wastewater treatment plants

“…Commonly recommended storage materials are borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In general, amber glass containers are normally recommended as storage materials for handling wastewater and sludge samples (Busetti, Heitz, Cuomo, Badoer, & Traverso, 2006; Charalabaki, Psillakis, Mantzavinos, & Kalogerakis, 2005; Chen et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2017b, Tian, Bai, Liu, Sun, & Zhao, 2012). The reason for this is as follows.…”

“…Since the plastic surface is commonly associated with the presence of microbes, this has the potential for the enhancement of degradation of PAHs. Hence, the use of the glass has been widely popular in various studies (Busetti et al., 2006; Charalabaki et al., 2005; Chen et al., 2019; Jiries, Hussain, & Lintelmann, 2000; Liu et al., 2017b; Manoli & Samara, 1996, 2008; Pérez, Guillamón, & Barceló, 2001; Tian et al., 2012).…”