An experimental investigation of the combustion performance of human faeces.

Poor sanitation is one of the major hindrances to the global sustainable development goals. The Reinvent the Toilet Challenge of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is set to develop affordable, next-generation sanitary systems that can ensure safe treatment and wide accessibility without compromise on sustainable use of natural resources and the environment. Energy recovery from human excreta is likely to be a cornerstone of future sustainable sanitary systems. Faeces combustion was investigated using a bench-scale downdraft combustor test rig, alongside with wood biomass and simulant faeces. Parameters such as air flow rate, fuel pellet size, bed height, and fuel ignition mode were varied to establish the combustion operating range of the test rig and the optimum conditions for converting the faecal biomass to energy. The experimental results show that the dry human faeces had a higher energy content (∼25 MJ/kg) than wood biomass. At equivalence ratio between 0.86 and 1.12, the combustion temperature and fuel burn rate ranged from 431 to 558 °C and 1.53 to 2.30 g/min respectively. Preliminary results for the simulant faeces show that a minimum combustion bed temperature of 600 ± 10 °C can handle faeces up to 60 wt.% moisture at optimum air-to-fuel ratio. Further investigation is required to establish the appropriate trade-off limits for drying and energy recovery, considering different stool types, moisture content and drying characteristics. This is important for the design and further development of a self-sustained energy conversion and recovery systems for the NMT and similar sanitary solutions.

Conceptual energy and water recovery system for self-sustained nano membrane toilet.

With about 2.4 billion people worldwide without access to improved sanitation facilities, there is a strong incentive for development of novel sanitation systems to improve the quality of life and reduce mortality. The Nano Membrane Toilet is expected to provide a unique household-scale system that would produce electricity and recover water from human excrement and urine. This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the conceptual energy and water recovery system for the Nano Membrane Toilet designed for a household of ten people and to assess its self-sustainability. A process model of the entire system, including the thermochemical conversion island, a Stirling engine and a water recovery system was developed in Aspen Plus®. The energy and water recovery system for the Nano Membrane Toilet was characterised with the specific net power output of 23.1 Wh/kgsettledsolids and water recovery rate of 13.4 dm3/day in the nominal operating mode. Additionally, if no supernatant was processed, the specific net power output was increased to 69.2 Wh/kgsettledsolids. Such household-scale system would deliver the net power output (1.9-5.8 W). This was found to be enough to charge mobile phones or power clock radios, or provide light for the household using low-voltage LED bulbs.

Septic tanks as a pathway for emerging contaminants to the aquatic environment-Need for alternative rural wastewater treatment?

Septic tanks (STs) as a decentralised approach to community wastewater treatment were investigated as a pathway for emerging contaminants (ECs) entering the aquatic environment. A broad range of ECs were examined in five community STs (population equivalents 217-475) and receiving rivers in Scotland over 12 months. All 68 studied ECs were detected at least once in ST influent or effluent at a broad concentration range from ng L-1 - µg L-1 which can surpass freshwater predicted no-effect concentrations. Pharmaceuticals with acute use, such as antibiotics and antifungals, had high monthly variability and concentrations can exceed those previously found in centralised wastewater treatment works. Differences between the STs demonstrate the impact of localised prescription and population behaviour on EC concentrations. The similarities in concentrations between influent and effluent, suggest limited or no removal of ECs in STs. Hence, dilution of the discharges is required to mitigate environmental risk. Although the contribution of ECs sorbed to suspended solids to the total EC concentration was generally small (<10%), higher contributions (>30%) were observed for fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin), antidepressants (fluoxetine), and antifungals (clotrimazole). A wide range of ECs were also detected in rivers upstream and downstream of the ST discharge points, and concentrations increased by up to 95% downstream. In general, risk quotients (RQs) in the rivers were low, indicating small risk for the environment. However, higher RQs (>1) were found for ibuprofen, diclofenac and ciprofloxacin in a few samples. Therefore, reducing their concentration by improving ST performance or through sustainable medicines use may be needed at low dilution locations to mitigate any risk.

Targeted multi-analyte UHPLC-MS/MS methodology for emerging contaminants in septic tank wastewater, sludge and receiving surface water.

Septic tanks treat wastewater of individual houses and small communities (up to 2000 people in Scotland) in rural and semi-urban areas and are understudied sources of surface water contamination. A multi-analyte methodology with solid phase extraction (SPE), ultra-sonic extraction, and direct injection sample preparation methods was developed to analyse a comprehensive range of emerging contaminants (ECs) including prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and related metabolites, natural and synthetic hormones, and other human wastewater marker compounds in septic tank influent and effluent, river water, suspended solids, and septic tank sludge by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The number of quantifiable compounds in each matrix varied from 68 in septic tank wastewater to 59 in sludge illustrating its applicability across a range of matrices. Method quantification limits were 2.9 × 10-5-1.2 µg L-1 in septic tank influent, effluent and river water, with ≤0.01 µg L-1 achieved for 60% of ECs in all three water matrices, and 0.080-49 µg kg-1 in sludge. The developed method was applied to a septic tank (292 population equivalents) and the receiving river in the North-East of Scotland. Across all samples analysed, 43 of 68 ECs were detected in at least one matrix, demonstrating the method's sensitivity. The effluent concentrations suggest limited removal of ECs in septic tanks and a potential impact to river water quality for some ECs. However, further monitoring is required to better appreciate this. The developed methodology for a wide variety of ECs in a range of liquid and solid phases will allow, for the first time, a comprehensive assessment of ECs fate and removal in septic tanks, and their impact to surface water quality.

The determination of nonylphenol and its precursors in a trickling filter wastewater treatment process.

An ultra performance liquid chromatography method coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was developed to determine nonylphenol and 15 of its possible precursors (nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol carboxylates) in aqueous and particulate wastewater matrices. Final effluent method detection limits for all compounds ranged from 1.4 to 17.4 ng l(-1) in aqueous phases and from 1.4 to 39.4 ng g(-1) in particulate phases of samples. The method was used to measure the performance of a trickling filter wastewater treatment works, which are not routinely monitored despite their extensive usage. Relatively good removals of nonylphenol were observed over the biological secondary treatment process, accounting for a 53 % reduction. However, only an 8 % reduction in total nonylphenolic compound load was observed. This was explained by a shortening in ethoxylate chain length which initiated production of shorter polyethoxylates ranging from 1 to 4 ethoxylate units in length in final effluents. Modelling the possible impact of trickling filter discharge demonstrated that the nonylphenol environmental quality standard may be exceeded in receiving waters with low dilution ratios. In addition, there is a possibility that the EQS can be exceeded several kilometres downstream of the mixing zone due to the biotransformation of readily degradable short-chained precursors. This accentuates the need to monitor 'non-priority' parent compounds in wastewater treatment works since monitoring nonylphenol alone can give a false indication of process performance. It is thus recommended that future process performance monitoring and optimisation is undertaken using the full suite of nonylphenolic moieties which this method can facilitate.

Influence of solids and hydraulic retention times on microbial diversity and removal of estrogens and nonylphenols in a pilot-scale activated sludge plant.

The removal of EDCs in activated sludge processes can be enhanced by increasing solid and hydraulic retention times (SRT and HRT); it has been suggested that the improvement in removal is due to changes in microbial community structure (MCS). Though the influence of SRT and HRT on chemical removal and MCS has been studied in isolation, their synergistic impact on MCS and the removal of estrogens and nonylphenols in activated sludge remains unknown. Hence, we investigated how both parameters influence MCS in activated sludge processes and their ulterior effect on EDC removal. In our study, an activated sludge pilot-plant was fed with domestic sewage fortified with 100 and 1000 ng/L nonylphenols or 2 and 15 ng/L estrogens and operated at 3, 10 and 27 d SRT (constant HRT) and at 8, 16 and 24 h HRT (constant SRT). The MCS was assessed by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis, and the archaeal and bacterial diversities were determined by 16S rRNA analysis. From the PLFA, the microbial abundance ranked as follows: Gram-negative > fungi > Gram-positive > actinomycetes whilst 16S rRNA analysis revealed Proteobacteria > Bacteroidetes > Others. Both PLFA and 16S rRNA analysis detected changes in MCS as SRT and HRT were increased. An SRT increment from 3 to 10 d resulted in higher estrone (E1) removal from 19 to 93% and nonylphenol-4-exthoxylate (NP4EO) from 44 to 73%. These findings demonstrate that EDC-removal in activated sludge plants can be optimised where longer SRT (>10 d) and HRT (>8 h) are suitable. We have also demonstrated that PLFA can be used for routine monitoring of changes in MCS in activated sludge plants.

Fate of alkylphenolic compounds during activated sludge treatment: impact of loading and organic composition.

The impact of loading and organic composition on the fate of alkylphenolic compounds in the activated sludge plant (ASP) has been studied. Three ASP designs comprising carbonaceous, carbonaceous/nitrification, and carbonaceous/nitrification/denitrification treatment were examined to demonstrate the impact of increasing levels of process complexity and to incorporate a spectrum of loading conditions. Based on mass balance, overall biodegradation efficiencies for nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), short chain carboxylates (NP(1-3)EC) and nonylphenol (NP) were 37%, 59%, and 27% for the carbonaceous, carbonaceous/nitrification, and carbonaceous/nitrification/denitrification ASP, respectively. The presence of a rich community of ammonia oxidizing bacteria does not necessarily facilitate effective alkylphenolic compound degradation. However, a clear correlation between alkylphenolic compound loading and long chain ethoxylate compound biodegradation was determined at the three ASPs, indicating that at higher initial alkylphenolic compound concentrations (or load), greater ethoxylate biotransformation can occur. In addition, the impact of settled sewage organic composition on alkylphenolic compound removal was evaluated. A correlation between the ratio of chemical oxygen demand (COD) to alkylphenolic compound concentration and biomass activity was determined, demonstrating the inhibiting effect of bulk organic matter on alkylphenol polyethoxylate transformation activity. At all three ASPs the biodegradation pathway proposed involves the preferential biodegradation of the amphiphilic ethoxylated compounds, after which the preferential attack of the lipophilic akylphenol moiety occurs. The extent of ethoxylate biodegradation is driven by the initial alkylphenolic compound concentration and the proportion of COD constituted by the alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs) and their metabolites relative to the bulk organic concentration of the sewage composed of proteins, acids, fats, and polysaccharides. Secondary effluents from this study are characterized by low bulk organic concentrations and comparatively high micropollutant concentrations. Based on the biodegradation mechanism proposed in this study, application of high rate tertiary biological treatment processes to secondary effluents characterized by low bulk organic concentrations and comparatively high APEO concentrations is predicted to provide a sustainable solution to micropollutant removal.

The fate of steroid estrogens: partitioning during wastewater treatment and onto river sediments.

The partitioning of steroid estrogens in wastewater treatment and receiving waters is likely to influence their discharge to, and persistence in, the environment. This study investigated the partitioning behaviour of steroid estrogens in both laboratory and field studies. Partitioning onto activated sludge from laboratory-scale Husmann units was rapid with equilibrium achieved after 1 h. Sorption isotherms and Kd values decreased in the order 17α-ethinyl estradiol>17α-estradiol>estrone>estriol without a sorption limit being achieved (1/n>1). Samples from a wastewater treatment works indicated no accumulation of steroid estrogens in solids from primary or secondary biological treatment, however, a range of steroid estrogens were identified in sediment samples from the River Thames. This would indicate that partitioning in the environment may play a role in the long-term fate of estrogens, with an indication that they will be recalcitrant in anaerobic conditions.

A review of the impact and potential of intermittent aeration on continuous flow nitrifying activated sludge.

Intermittent aeration of activated sludge plants (ASPs) is a potential strategy that may help deliver reduced operational costs while providing an adequate effluent quality. This review paper critically assesses the implications of temporary turning aeration offin continuous flow nitrifying ASPs, including impact on dissolved oxygen concentrations, process biology and operational parameters. The potential savings and pitfalls of the approach are further illustrated through an example scenario. Findings from this review indicate rapid dissolved oxygen depletion times of 1-60 minutes and a significant reduction of nitrification rates from 0.12 to less than 0.04 g NH4-N/g VSS/d. Further negative impacts include a potential increase in nitrous oxide emissions from 0.07% to 27% N2O-N per mole of NH4-N oxidized; enhanced filamentous bacteria growth; a noticeable increase in effluent turbidity developing within one hour of air supply interruption; and, if no mechanical mixing is in place, risk of mixed liquor suspended solids settling in the bioreactor within short times (23-53 min). However, the potential savings in terms of aeration costs could amount to 33%-45% if instrumentation adequacy and impact on process biology and carbon equivalent emissions are excluded from the economic analysis. Further research on the areas of nitrous oxide emissions and the use of hybrid systems to provide resilience and robustness to the intermittent operation of continuous flow nitrifying ASPs is recommended.

Biosolids recycling impact on biofilm extracellular enzyme activity and performance of hybrid rotating biological reactors.

Biological processes for wastewater treatment is limited by extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) of the biofilm on polymeric substrates. The efficiency of biodegradation / biosorption mechanisms causing EEA and organic load removal in biofilms remains unknown. Our hypothesis was that the limiting step of biological process can be overcome by biostimulation and/or bioaugmentation of the return sludge in hybrid biofilm reactors, which leads to competition between suspended and attached bacteria and lower effective substrate to microrganism ratio. Therefore, we considered more active biosolids to perform best at enhancing reactor removal rate. To test this, the efficacy of recycling distinct bio-solids types considered to have different bacterial activity such as final effluent (FE), humus solids (HS) and recycle activated sludge (RAS) on performance improvements of rotating biofilm reactors (RBRs). These bio-solids were investigated under high organic loading rates (OLR) and solids loading rates (SLR) using pilot scale reactors receiving real municipal wastewaters. Controlled overloading of RBRs revealed that EEA improved with increasing OLR/SLR. High SLR (>3.3 kg Total Suspended Solids m-2 d-1) delayed and decreased the reduction of organic and inorganic removal rates in the biological processes which commonly occurs under high OLRs. This effect was more pronounced in the highest activity solids (RAS > HS > FE) suggesting the activity and function of bio-solids was critical to improve performance of RBRs. High OLR and SLR induced efficient denitrification and organics removal within the biofilm reactor at residence times of <5 min. Recycling active solids permitted EEA despite overloading which was critical to the performance of the RBRs.

Enhancing the anaerobic digestion process through carbon dioxide enrichment: initial insights into mechanisms of utilization.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment of anaerobic digesters (ADs) without hydrogen addition has been demonstrated to provide a potential solution to manage CO2 streams generated in the water and organic waste sectors, with concomitant increases in methane (CH4) production. This study investigates the CO2 utilization mechanisms, by considering chemical and biological pathways in food waste and sewage sludge ADs. Methanosaetaceae was observed to be the dominant methanogen in sewage sludge ADs (Abundance of 83.8-98.8%) but scarce in food waste units (3.5-5.8%). Methanosarcinaceae was dominant in food waste (14.3-32.4%), likely due to a higher tolerance to the free ammonia nitrogen concentration recorded (885 mg L-1). RMethanosaetaceae (ratio of Methanosaetaceae fluorescence signal between test and control) of 1.45 and 1.79 were observed for sludge ADs enriched once and periodically with CO2, respectively (p-value < .05), suggesting a higher Methanosaetaceae activity associated with CO2 enrichment. Reduction of CO2 by homoacetogenesis followed by acetoclastic methanogenesis was proposed as a CO2 utilization mechanism, which requires validation by radiolabelling or carbon isotope analysis.

Comparing flow cytometry with culture-based methods for microbial monitoring and as a diagnostic tool for assessing drinking water treatment processes.

Flow cytometry (FCM) and the ability to measure both total and intact cell populations through DNA staining methodologies has rapidly gained attention and consideration across the water sector in the past decade. In this study, water quality monitoring was undertaken over three years across 213 drinking water treatment works (WTW) in the Scottish Water region (Total n = 39,340). Samples subject to routine regulatory microbial analysis using culture-based methods were also analysed using FCM. In addition to final treated water, the bacterial content in raw water was measured over a one-year period. Three WTW were studied in further detail using on-site inter-stage sampling and analysis with FCM. It was demonstrated that there was no clear link between FCM data and the coliform samples taken for regulatory monitoring. The disinfectant Ct value (Ct = mg·min/L) was the driving factor in determining final water cell viability and the proportion of intact cells (intact/total cells) and the frequency of coliform detections in the water leaving the WTW. However, the free chlorine residual, without consideration of treatment time, was shown to have little impact on coliform detections or cell counts. Amongst the three treatment trains monitored in detail, the membrane filtration WTW showed the greatest log removal and robustness in terms of final water intact cell counts. Flow cytometry was shown to provide insights into the bacteriological quality of water that adds significant value over and above that provided by traditional bacterial monitoring.

Meeting report: risk assessment of tamiflu use under pandemic conditions.

On 3 October 2007, 40 participants with diverse expertise attended the workshop Tamiflu and the Environment: Implications of Use under Pandemic Conditions to assess the potential human health impact and environmental hazards associated with use of Tamiflu during an influenza pandemic. Based on the identification and risk-ranking of knowledge gaps, the consensus was that oseltamivir ethylester-phosphate (OE-P) and oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) were unlikely to pose an ecotoxicologic hazard to freshwater organisms. OC in river water might hasten the generation of OC-resistance in wildfowl, but this possibility seems less likely than the potential disruption that could be posed by OC and other pharmaceuticals to the operation of sewage treatment plants. The work-group members agreed on the following research priorities: a) available data on the ecotoxicology of OE-P and OC should be published; b) risk should be assessed for OC-contaminated river water generating OC-resistant viruses in wildfowl; c) sewage treatment plant functioning due to microbial inhibition by neuraminidase inhibitors and other antimicrobials used during a pandemic should be investigated; and d) realistic worst-case exposure scenarios should be developed. Additional modeling would be useful to identify localized areas within river catchments that might be prone to high pharmaceutical concentrations in sewage treatment plant effluent. Ongoing seasonal use of Tamiflu in Japan offers opportunities for researchers to assess how much OC enters and persists in the aquatic environment.

A sensitive and robust method for the determination of alkylphenol polyethoxylates and their carboxylic acids and their transformation in a trickling filter wastewater treatment plant.

This paper presents a method for the determination of alkylphenols, alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO) and alkylphenol ethoxycarboxylates (APEC) in the aqueous and particulate phase of wastewater samples. Quantification was achieved by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The sensitivity of the method is demonstrated by low detection limits, in the dissolved phase 1.2-9.6ngl(-1) for alkylphenol, AP1-3EO and APEC and 0.1-4.1ngl(-1) for longer chain alkylphenol polyethoxylates. The method detection limit for particulate phase samples ranged from 6 to 60ngg(-1) for AP, AP1-3EO and APEC; with the longer chain APEO being from 0.5 to 20ngg(-1). Matrix effects were noted in complex matrix rich samples. There was a distinct change in the distribution of alkylphenol ethoxylates during biological treatment of the wastewater, with the major biotransformation products observed being carboxylated derivatives at concentrations of up to 1768ngl(-1). Shorter chain APEO were present in higher proportions in the suspended solids, due to their higher affinity to particulate matter compared to the long-chain oligomers.

Impacts of coagulation-flocculation treatment on the size distribution and bioavailability of trace metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn) in municipal wastewater.

This study investigated the impact of coagulation-flocculation treatment on metal form and bioavailability in municipal wastewater. Real humus effluent samples were separated into particulate, colloidal and truly dissolved fractions before and after treatment with either ferric chloride (FeCl3) or the biopolymer Floculan. Results revealed that both reagents effectively (≥48%) eliminated Cu, Pb and Zn from the particulate fraction and removed Cu and Zn from the colloidal fraction in conjunction with colloidal organic carbon (COC). Although organics in the truly dissolved fraction were resistant to removal, Floculan reduced Cu in this fraction by 72% owing to the complexation of free Cu ions to phenol and amino groups along the polymeric chains, revealing an additional removal pathway. In fact, COC removed in the CF process by Floculan was replaced with truly dissolved compounds, input as a result of this reagents organic composition. Floculan, therefore, reduced the soluble concentration of Cu and Zn without changing the DOC concentration, thus reducing the bioavailability of these metals in treated effluent. FeCl3 did not reduce the bioavailability of target metals, thus did not deliver any environmental benefit. This work provides important information for the selection and development of high performance coagulants to improve metal removal.

Influence of substrate on fouling in anoxic immersed membrane bioreactors.

The influence of carbon substrate chemistry on membrane bioreactor (MBR) fouling in anoxic conditions has been evaluated. The use of a weak carboxylic acid (acetic acid) resulted in the production of large open-floc structures (up to 508microm) that were susceptible to breakage. Primary particles (d(10) and d(20) particle sizes, 5.5+/-1.3 and 15.3+/-8.2microm, respectively) and macromolecular soluble microbial products (SMPs) were generated, directly impacting on membrane fouling. The use of a primary alcohol (ethanol), on the other hand, encouraged the growth of flocs similar to activated sludge. These flocs produced low concentrations of primary particles (d(10) and d(20) particle sizes, 120.6+/-36.1 and 185.2+/-62.7microm, respectively) and high-molecular-weight SMP, and the particles had sufficient mechanical integrity to withstand shear. Consequently, the use of ethanol resulted in sufficient suppression of fouling to extend the filtration time by a factor of three. An increase in MLSS concentration did not directly impact upon fouling when operating with ethanol, primarily because of the low concentration of particulate matter produced.

Adsorption and precipitation of tetracycline with struvite.

The interaction of tetracycline with struvite during adsorption and precipitation processes was investigated. Tetracycline removal by adsorption was affected by solution pH, contact time, and struvite concentration. The lowest tetracycline removal (8.4%) was observed at pH 7.7, the dissociation constant (pKa2) of tetracycline. Because of the electrostatic repulsion, the amount of tetracycline adsorbed on the surface was low. The small amount of adsorption was the result of surface complexation between tetracycline ions and metal ions. Calcium (Ca2+) ions in the adsorbent enhanced the binding of tetracycline. Freundlich (KF: 0.04, n: 1.49) and Redlich-Peterson (KR: 0.08, alphaR: 0.98, betaR: 0.49) models best defined the equilibrium data. In the case of struvite precipitation, approximately 22% of tetracycline was removed as a result of binding to struvite alongside struvite formation.

Distribution of trace metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn) between particulate, colloidal and truly dissolved fractions in wastewater treatment.

The distribution of Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn between particulate, colloidal and truly dissolved size fractions in wastewater from a trickling filter treatment plant was investigated. Samples of influent, primary effluent, humus effluent, final effluent and sludge holding tank returns were collected and separated into particulate (i.e. > 0.45 µm), colloidal (i.e. 1 kDa to 0.45 µm), and truly dissolved (i.e. < 1 kDa) fractions using membrane filters. In the influent, substantial proportions of Cu (60%), Pb (67%), and Zn (32%) were present in the particulate fraction which was removed in conjunction with suspended particles at the works in subsequent treatment stages. In final effluent, sizeable proportions of Cu (52%), Pb (32%), Ni (44%) and Zn (68%) were found within the colloidal size fraction. Calculated ratios of soluble metal to organic carbon suggest the metal to be adsorbed to or complexed with non-humic macromolecules typically found within the colloidal size range. These findings suggest that technologies capable of removing particles within the colloidal fraction have good potential to enhance metals removal from wastewater.

Performance and stability of sewage sludge digestion under CO2 enrichment: A pilot study.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) injection in anaerobic digestion has recently been proposed as an interesting possibility to boost methane (CH4) recovery from sludge and organic waste by converting a greenhouse gas into a renewable resource. This research assessed the effects of exogenous CO2 injection on performance and process stability of single-phase continuous anaerobic digesters. Two pilot scale reactors treating sewage sludge were operated for 130days. One reactor was periodically injected with CO2 while the other acted as control. Two injection frequencies and injection devices were tested. The results indicated that CO2 enrichment allowed an increase in CH4 production of ca. 12%, with a CH4 production rate of 371±100L/(kgVSfed·d) and a CH4 concentration of ca. 60% when dissolved CO2 levels inside the test reactor were increased up to 1.9-fold. Results also indicated an improvement in process resilience to temporary overloads and no impacts on stability parameters.

Investigating the in situ degradation of atrazine in groundwater.

This study focused on whether or not atrazine could be degraded by indigenous groundwater bacteria as part of an in situ remediation approach. Groundwater was taken from an unconfined middle upper chalk site where concentrations of atrazine and nitrate were typically in the ranges 0.02-0.2 microg litre-1 and 11.6-25.1 mg NO3-N litre-1 respectively. Sacrificial batch studies were performed using this groundwater spiked with atrazine at a concentration of 10 microg litre-1 in conjunction with a minimal mineral salts liquid (Glu-MMSL) medium which contained glucose as the sole carbon source. Treatments comprised either the Glu-MMSL groundwater cultured bacteria or Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. Results from sacrificial batches indicated the occurrence of bacterial growth and denitrification as monitored by optical density (absorbance at 600 nm) and NO3-N content. Analysis of atrazine content by solid phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography showed no degradation of atrazine over a period of 103 days in either treatment. These results indicated that no acclimatised bacterial community featuring positive degraders to the herbicide atrazine had become established within this chalk aquifer in response to the trace levels encountered.