Variability of release rate of flame retardants in wastewater treatment plants

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3403-2

Language of the publication
English
Date
2018-10-15
Type
Article
Author(s)
  • Shen, Jesse
  • Smyth, Shirley Anne
  • Droste, Ronald
  • Delâge, Danaëlle
Publisher
Springer Nature

Abstract

Information on variability is important in the assessment of the releases and potential risks of brominated flame retardants (BRFs) in the environment, but related data are limited. In this study, two release-characterizing parameters, release fraction to final effluent and influent-biosolids transfer coefficient, were used to quantify releases of five BFRs from eight secondary wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The five BFRs are recalcitrant, hydrophobic, and low in volatility. The two parameters for these BFRs were found to vary from day to day and season to season within individual WWTPs as well as from one WWTP to another. These temporal and spatial variations were, however, comparable to each other and both within a factor of 3 above or below the parameter averages. Averages for release fraction were in the range of 0.02–0.29 and those for influent-biosolids transfer coefficient in the range of 3–26 L/g, depending upon a given BFR at a given WWTP. These ranges and the observed factor-3 variability are not only useful for estimating releases of the five BFRs, but more importantly provide read-across data for the assessment of substances with similar physical-chemical properties.

Subject

  • Nature and environment,
  • Science and technology

Rights

Pagination

34740–34752

Peer review

Yes

Open access level

Gold

Identifiers

ISSN
1614-7499

Article

Journal title
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Journal volume
25
Accepted date
2018-10-04
Submitted date
2018-06-22

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Collection(s)

Water

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