Do hazardous substances in demolition waste hinder circular economy?

Hazardous substances in demolition waste are often deemed a barrier to a circular economy owing to concerns about their fate in recycled materials. However, with the growing demand for recycling materials, it is essential to find circular solutions for construction materials but still protect health and the environment by managing hazardous substances. In this study, selected hazardous substance groups were analysed from demolition waste samples. Most of the concentrations did not raise any concerns when the safety of recycling materials was considered. However, the detection limits of laboratory chemical analysis can be discussed, as bromine was found in samples by an X-ray fluorescence (XRF)-analyser, but only one laboratory detected brominated flame retardants (BRFs). New technologies and practices are needed to follow the chemical content of materials used in the construction phase. Detecting hazardous substances in recyclable materials is the only way to achieve harmless material cycles.

Uncertainty in Environmental Micropollutant Modeling.

Water pollution policies have been enacted across the globe to minimize the environmental risks posed by micropollutants (MPs). For regulative institutions to be able to ensure the realization of environmental objectives, they need information on the environmental fate of MPs. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to further improve environmental decision-making, which heavily relies on scientific data. Use of mathematical and computational modeling in environmental permit processes for water construction activities has increased. Uncertainty of input data considers several steps from sampling and analysis to physico-chemical characteristics of MP. Machine learning (ML) methods are an emerging technique in this field. ML techniques might become more crucial for MP modeling as the amount of data is constantly increasing and the emerging new ML approaches and applications are developed. It seems that both modeling strategies, traditional and ML, use quite similar methods to obtain uncertainties. Process based models cannot consider all known and relevant processes, making the comprehensive estimation of uncertainty challenging. Problems in a comprehensive uncertainty analysis within ML approach are even greater. For both approaches generic and common method seems to be more useful in a practice than those emerging from ab initio. The implementation of the modeling results, including uncertainty and the precautionary principle, should be researched more deeply to achieve a reliable estimation of the effect of an action on the chemical and ecological status of an environment without underestimating or overestimating the risk. The prevailing uncertainties need to be identified and acknowledged and if possible, reduced. This paper provides an overview of different aspects that concern the topic of uncertainty in MP modeling.

A preliminary study on the ecotoxic potency of wastewater treatment plant sludge combining passive sampling and bioassays.

Sewage sludge is an inevitable byproduct produced in wastewater treatment. Reusing nutrient-rich sludge will diminish the amount of waste ending in soil dumping areas and will promote circular economy. However, during sewage treatment process, several potentially harmful organic chemicals are retained in sludge, but proving the safety of processed sludge will promote its more extensive use in agriculture and landscaping. Environmental risk assessment of sludge requires new methods of characterizing its suitability for various circular economy applications. Bioavailable and bioaccessible fractions are key variables indicating leaching, transport, and bioaccumulation capacity. Also, sludge treatments have a significant effect on chemical status and resulting environmental risks. In this study, the concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC), methyl triclosan (mTCS), and selected active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were determined in different sludge treatments and fractions. Passive samplers were used to characterize the bioavailable and bioaccessible fractions, and the sampler extracts along the sludge and filtrate samples were utilized in the bioassays. The TCS and PAH concentrations did not decrease as the sludge was digested, but the contents diminished after composting. Also, mTCS concentration decreased after composting. The API concentrations were lower in digested sludge than in secondary sludge. Digested sludge was toxic for Aliivibrio fischeri, but after composting, toxicity was not observed. However, for Daphnia magna, passive sampler extracts of all sludge treatments were either acutely (immobility) or chronically (reproduction) toxic. Secondary and digested sludge sampler extracts were cytotoxic, and secondary sludge extract was also genotoxic. The measured chemical concentration levels did not explain the toxicity of the samples based on the reported toxicity thresholds. Bioassays and sampler extracts detecting bioavailable and bioaccessible contaminants in sludge are complementing tools for chemical analyses. Harmonization of these methodswill help establish scientifically sound regulative thresholds for the use of sludge in circular economy applications.

Field performance of the Chemcatcher passive sampler for monitoring hydrophobic organic pollutants in surface water.

Six field trials were carried out to assess the performance of the Chemcatcher passive sampler alongside spot sampling for monitoring priority hydrophobic organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides) in a wide range of conditions in surface water. The trials were performed in three European rivers: Elbe (Czech Republic), Alna (Norway) and Meuse (Netherlands), in two seasons (April-June 2004, and September-October 2004). Samplers spiked with performance reference compounds (PRCs) were deployed for either 14 or 28 days. Ten spot samples of water were collected over the course of the trial and filtered through a 0.7 microm glass fibre filter. Concentrations of pollutants measured using the Chemcatcher were compared with the average concentrations found in spot samples. This study describes the operational performance of Chemcatcher for measuring hydrophobic (log K(OW) 3.7-6.8) chemicals in surface water. Site specific Chemcatcher sampling rates up to 0.5 L d(-1) were found using the PRC approach that reduced the uncertainty in estimates of sampling kinetics where temperature, local flow conditions and biofouling potential varied between sites and seasons, and with time during sampler exposure. The limits of quantification of sampled analytes ranged from one to tens ng L(-1). Highest sensitivity was achieved for compounds with a favourable combination of low instrument quantification limits and high sampling rates including dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, pentachlorobenzene, and PAHs with less than five aromatic rings. The direct comparison of time weighted average (TWA) concentrations (mostly close to method limits of detection) obtained using passive and spot sampling was possible for lindane, hexachlorobenzene, and PAHs < 4 rings. Implications of using the Chemcatcher in regulatory monitoring programmes such as the European Union Water Framework Directive are discussed.

New theory of time integrative passive samplers.

Current theoretical, two compartment description of integrative passive sampling is renewed to establish a three-compartment model. The developed theoretical description includes external chemical conditions near the receiving phase, conditions inside the receiving phase and the chemically bonded compartments. New variable p, which controls the chemical bonding process into the sampler receiving phase is introduced. This new theoretical model enables derivation of equations for accumulation of masses in situations where convective mass transfer coefficient (h) and chemically bonding activity (p) are defined as a piece-wise constant functions of time. Previous two compartment model, which connects time average external concentration and accumulated mass is derived directly to the case where h and p are constants during the whole observation period. For other situations more complex equation is derived. Applicability of new equations are tested in laboratory experiments with fluctuating external chemical concentration.

Procedures of determining organic trace compounds in municipal sewage sludge-a review.

Sewage sludge is the largest by-product generated during the wastewater treatment process. Since large amounts of sludge are being produced, different ways of disposal have been introduced. One tempting option is to use it as fertilizer in agricultural fields due to its high contents of inorganic nutrients. This, however, can be limited by the amount of trace contaminants in the sewage sludge, containing a variety of microbiological pollutants and pathogens but also inorganic and organic contaminants. The bioavailability and the effects of trace contaminants on the microorganisms of soil are still largely unknown as well as their mixture effects. Therefore, there is a need to analyze the sludge to test its suitability before further use. In this article, a variety of sampling, pretreatment, extraction, and analysis methods have been reviewed. Additionally, different organic trace compounds often found in the sewage sludge and their methods of analysis have been compiled. In addition to traditional Soxhlet extraction, the most common extraction methods of organic contaminants in sludge include ultrasonic extraction (USE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by instrumental analysis based on gas or liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the continuum of surface and ground water used in drinking water production.

Anthropogenic chemicals in surface water and groundwater cause concern especially when the water is used in drinking water production. Due to their continuous release or spill-over at waste water treatment plants, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are constantly present in aquatic environment and despite their low concentrations, APIs can still cause effects on the organisms. In the present study, Chemcatcher passive sampling was applied in surface water, surface water intake site, and groundwater observation wells to estimate whether the selected APIs are able to end up in drinking water supply through an artificial groundwater recharge system. The API concentrations measured in conventional wastewater, surface water, and groundwater grab samples were assessed with the results obtained with passive samplers. Out of the 25 APIs studied with passive sampling, four were observed in groundwater and 21 in surface water. This suggests that many anthropogenic APIs released to waste water proceed downstream and can be detectable in groundwater recharge. Chemcatcher passive samplers have previously been used in monitoring several harmful chemicals in surface and wastewaters, but the path of chemicals to groundwater has not been studied. This study provides novel information on the suitability of the Chemcatcher passive samplers for detecting APIs in groundwater wells.

Widespread occurrence and seasonal variation of pharmaceuticals in surface waters and municipal wastewater treatment plants in central Finland.

The presence of five selected pharmaceuticals, consisting of four anti-inflammatory drugs, diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, and an antiepileptic drug carbamazepine, was determined at four municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and in the receiving waterway in central Finland. The samples were taken from influents and effluents of the WWTPs and from surface water of six locations along the water way, including northern Lake Päijänne. In addition, seasonal variation in the area was determined by comparing the concentrations in the winter and summer. The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The concentrations in the influents and effluents ranged from hundreds of nanogram per liter to microgram per liter while ranged from tens of nanogram per liter in northern parts of the waterway to hundreds of nanogram per liter in northern Lake Päijänne near the city area. In addition, the concentrations were higher in the winter compared to summer time in surface water due to decreased temperature and solar irradiation. On the other hand, higher concentrations of ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen were found in summer at the WWTPs, possibly due to seasonal variations in consumption. In conclusion, there are considerable amounts of pharmaceuticals not only in influents and effluents of the WWTPs but also in lake water along the waterway and in northern Lake Päijänne.

Suitability of passive sampling for the monitoring of pharmaceuticals in Finnish surface waters.

The occurrence of five pharmaceuticals, consisting of four anti-inflammatory and one antiepileptic drug, was studied by passive sampling and grab sampling in northern Lake Päijänne and River Vantaa. The passive sampling was performed by using Chemcatcher® sampler with a SDB-RPS Empore disk as a receiving phase. In Lake Päijänne, the sampling was conducted during summer 2013 at four locations near the discharge point of a wastewater treatment plant and in the years 2013 and 2015 at four locations along River Vantaa. The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The concentrations of carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen in Lake Päijänne determined by passive sampling ranged between 1.4-2.9 ng L(-1), 15-35 ng L(-1), 13-31 ng L(-1), 16-27 ng L(-1), and 3.3-32 ng L(-1), respectively. Similarly, the results in River Vantaa ranged between 1.2-40 ng L(-1), 15-65 ng L(-1), 13-33 ng L(-1), 16-31 ng L(-1), and 3.3-6.4 ng L(-1). The results suggest that the Chemcatcher passive samplers are suitable for detecting pharmaceuticals in lake and river waters.

Refractory organic pollutants and toxicity in pulp and paper mill wastewaters.

This review describes medium and high molecular weight organic material found in wastewaters from pulp and paper industry. The aim is to review the versatile pollutants and the analysis methods for their determination. Among other pollutants, biocides, extractives, and lignin-derived compounds are major contributors to harmful effects, such as toxicity, of industrial wastewaters. Toxicity of wastewaters from pulp and paper mills is briefly evaluated including the methods for toxicity analyses. Traditionally, wastewater purification includes mechanical treatment followed by chemical and/or biological treatment processes. A variety of methods are available for the purification of industrial wastewaters, including aerobic and anaerobic processes. However, some fractions of organic material, such as lignin and its derivatives, are difficult to degrade. Therefore, novel chemical methods, including electrochemical and oxidation processes, have been developed for separate use or in combination with biological treatment processes.

Occurrence of pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater, in the recipient water, and sedimented particles of northern Lake Päijänne.

The presence of five different pharmaceuticals, consisting of four anti-inflammatory and one antiepileptic drug, was determined in influent and effluent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) near the city of Jyväskylä, Finland, and in the receiving water, northern Lake Päijänne. In addition, samples of sedimented particles were collected among water samples from five locations near the discharge point of the treated wastewater. The solid phase extracts (SPEs) of water samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The studied pharmaceuticals were detected from influent, effluent, and lake water but also in the sedimented particles. The concentrations of carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen in Lake Päijänne ranged from 1 to 21 ng L(-1), 4 to 209 ng L(-1), 5 to 836 ng L(-1), 9 to 952 ng L(-1), and 2 to 129 ng L(-1), respectively. The concentrations of ketoprofen in sedimented particles ranged from 79 to 135 µg g(-1) while only trace amounts of other selected pharmaceuticals were detected. The results indicate that the concentrations of pharmaceuticals are affected by the biological and chemical reactions occurring in the wastewater treatment processes but also by the UV light in the photic layer of Lake Päijänne. It can be concluded that considerable amount of selected pharmaceuticals are present in the influent and effluent of municipal WWTP but also in the water phase and sedimented particles of northern Lake Päijänne.

Study of different Chemcatcher configurations in the monitoring of nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol in aquatic environment.

The main aim of the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) is to protect rivers, lakes, coastal waters and groundwaters (EC 2000). The implementation of the WFD requires monitoring the concentration levels of several priority pollutants such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) and nonylphenol (NP) in the area of EU. The present practices for determining the concentration levels of various pollutants are, in many respects, insufficient, and there is an urgent need to develop more cost-effective sampling methods. A passive sampling tool named Chemcatcher was tested for monitoring NPEOs and NP in aqueous media. These environmentally harmful substances have been widely used in different household and industrial applications, and they affect aquatic ecosystems, for example, by acting as endocrine disrupting compounds. The suitability of different receiving phases which were sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene reversed phase polymer (SDB-RPS), standard styrene-divinyl benzene polymer (SDB-XC) and C-18 (octadecyl) was assessed in laboratory and field trials. The effect of a diffusion membrane on the accumulation of studied compounds was also investigated. The SDB-XC and C-18 receiving phases collected the NPEOs and NP most effectively. The water flow affected the accumulation factor of the studied substances in the field trials, and the water concentrations calculated using sampling rates were tenfold lower than those measured with conventional spot sampling. The concentration of the analytes in spot samples taken from the sampling sites might be higher because in that case, the particle-bound fraction is also measured. The NPEOs readily attach to suspended matter, and therefore, the total concentration of such compounds in water is much higher. Also, the spot samples were not taken daily but once a week, while the passive samplers collected the compounds continuously for 2- or 4-week time periods. This may cause differences when comparing the results of those two methods as well. Both techniques can be applied for monitoring the concentration levels at different sampling sites, but the calculated and measured analyte concentrations in surrounding water are not necessarily comparable with each other. More experiments are still needed to study the effect of hydrological issues and humic substances on the accumulation of chemicals. However, the Chemcatcher passive sampler gives valuable information about the mean concentration levels of studied compounds during 2- or 4-week sampling period. This is important for comparison of annual monitoring results, especially in sampling sites with rapidly fluctuating concentrations.

Overview of passive Chemcatcher sampling with SPE pretreatment suitable for the analysis of NPEOs and NPs.

The European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC) is an important piece of environmental legislation that protects rivers, lakes, coastal waters and groundwaters (EC 2000). The implementation of the WFD requires the establishment and use of novel and low-cost monitoring programmes, and several methods, e.g. passive sampling, have been developed to make the sampling process more representative compared to spot sampling. This review considers passive sampling methods focusing mainly on a passive sampler named Chemcatcher®, which has been used for monitoring several harmful compounds in aquatic environments. Also, the sample treatment and analysis of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) and nonylphenol (NPs) from water using solid phase extraction (SPE) is briefly summarized. The procedure of Chemcatcher passive sampling is quite similar to that of the SPE extraction since it concentrates the studied compounds from water as well. After sampling, the accumulated substances are extracted from the receiving phase of the sampler. The concentrations of NPEOs and NPs are currently monitored by taking conventional spot samples; SPE can be successfully used as a pretreatment procedure. Chemcatcher® passive sampling technique is a simple and useful monitoring tool and can be applied to new chemicals, such as NPEOs and NPs in aquatic environments.

Formation of PFOA from 8:2 FTOH in closed-bottle experiments with brackish water.

The formation of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) from 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanol (8:2 FTOH) was studied for the first time in laboratory experiments with brackish water. The water samples were collected from the Baltic Sea, which is one of the largest brackish water areas in the world and is polluted with PFOA and other perfluorinated compounds. The formation of PFOA was studied in closed-bottle experiments at different water temperatures. As a reference experiment, a modified OECD 310 test was conducted with sludge from a wastewater treatment plant and with brackish water. The PFOA and 8:2 FTOH were concentrated from water samples by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and were analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effect of oxygen concentration on the formation of PFOA was studied using surface water samples with high and low oxygen contents. Other experiments were performed with oxygen-rich surface water and oxygen-deficient bottom water. The formation of PFOA was observed in all experiments; it was higher in the trial performed with brackish water than in the reference test carried out with sludge. Clear temperature dependence was observed in the formation of PFOA in brackish water tests; after a 30-day test period, a sixfold increase was observed in the amount of PFOA in surface water between the temperatures of 15 and 20 °C. Microbes were suggested as the major cause of the formation of PFOA, but other environmental characteristics, such as oxygen, could also affect the formation potential of PFOA.