Behaviour of selected estrogen and xeno-estrogen in 'natural process' sewage plants

Summary

In contrast to the activation pools and percolating filters, the sewage in ponds and biological treatment plants generally undergoes longer hydraulic retention.
The aim of the project was to investigate the effectiveness of pond and biological treatment plants (vertical filter) with regard to the retention or elimination of estrogen containing nonylphenol and bisphenol A. To achieve this, analytical methods were developed to show the effective estrogen content of complex sewage, and plant tests and pilot projects were initiated to reveal the elimination mechanisms in laboratory space reactors.

Results:

• Low solvent extraction techniques were developed to reveal the endocrine substances in sewage. This provides optimum and validated testing methods for various concentration areas.
• The tested pond treatment plants showed an average elimination rate for nonylphenol in untreated water of 58% compared with an average of 72% in biological plants. The average elimination rate for bisphenol A in both treatment plants was 82% , higher than the 68% rate for nonylphenol.
• Tests showed that biological treatment plants with generally complete nitrification  had higher elimination rates for nonylphenol and bisphenol A than systems with incomplete nitrification.
• Laboratory experiments established that bisphenol A is eliminated in biological treatment plants under anaerobic conditions. The biomass absorbs large amounts of nonylphenol.

Project Participants

Implementing Institutions

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

Promotion

Promoting Institutions

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

More Project Information

Project title: Behaviour of selected estrogen and xeno-estrogen in 'natural process' sewage plants

Project number: 02WA9982/1

Project period: 1999 - 2002

Project region: Germany (Saxony)

Project contact:

Herr Dr. Kuschk

0341 235-2821
0341 235-2492