Toxicity of efluents from wastewater treatments plants (WWTPs), after utilization of advanced oxidation processes, used for disinfection.

• Grant number: 16/22483-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal researcher: Maria Aparecida Marin Morales
• Grantee: Lais Roberta Deroldo Sommaggio
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/17774-1 - Influence of the secondary effluent composition on the disinfection by advanced oxidation processes, AP.JP

Abstract

Among the processes to the treatment of wastewater treatments plants (WWTPs) effluents, the disinfection by advanced oxidation can be highlighted, as the ozonation and ultraviolet radiation (UV) together with the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These processes generate the hydroxyl radical (OH-) which promote the oxidation of the contaminants and disinfection of the effluent. The efficiency of the adequate treatment of these effluents is essential to the subsequent reutilization of these waters (reuse). As the advanced oxidation processes can generate very toxic compounds, which may impair the reutilization of the water of these effluents, there is the need of performing bioassays that allow a detailed assessment of the exemption of the toxicity of them. The appliance of new technologies of sewage treatment requires a validation of the efficiency of the process to avoid the compromising of the associated ecosystem to the receptor body of this effluent. So, in addition to measure the disinfection power of the utilized system, it is necessary to monitor the possible environmental impacts that it can cause. Effluent samples of two WWTPs, with different physical-chemical properties, will be exposed to treatments with ozone and UV/H2O2 to periods of 15 and 30 minutes. An assessment of the genotoxic, mutagenic and estrogenic potentials and oxidative stress assays will be performed, before and after treating these effluents. Tests with human cell culture (HepG2 MELN), Ames test and recombinant yeasts assay (ER-RYA) will be used. A microbiological characterization will be also performed to evaluation of the persistent microorganisms in the final effluent. With this study, it is expected to monitor, by the combination of bioassays, the efficacy of advanced oxidative processes used in the effluent treatment of the STS and to contribute to the implementation of more efficient methodologies to be used on the effluent treatment systems, aiming the safe reutilization of these effluents and the minimization of environmental impacts.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SOMMAGGIO, Lais Roberta Deroldo. Toxicity of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) effluents before and after disinfection by advanced oxidative processes. 2021. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Rio Claro Rio Claro.