Fate of anthropogenic micropollutants during wastewater treatment and influence on receiving surface water

Abstract

More than 110 volatile and base-neutral compounds or groups of compounds with concentrations exceeding 0.1 µg/L were identified in a wastewater treatment plant, at different stages of treatment. Individual concentrations ranged from 0.1 µg/L to 1 mg/L. The concentrations of many micropollutants were increased after mixing the raw water with recycled waters from the sludge drying process. Six compounds listed among the 33 priority pollutants from the Water Framework Directive, were detected. Due to the high efficiency of the treatment process and to the high dilution ratio at the outlet, this plant showed little influence on the receiving water.