Anaerobic treatment removing tetrabromobisphenol A and biota safety: How do tropical aquatic species respond to effluent toxicity over short- and long-term exposures?

Author(s)

Bernegossi, Aline Christine ; Castro, Gleyson Borges ; Felipe, Mayara Caroline ; de Souza, Tallyson Tavares Cunha ; Macedo, Williane Vieira ; Gorni, Guilherme Rossi ; Corbi, Juliano Jose

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH; v. 96, n. 6, p. 19-pg., 2024-06-01.

Abstract

Wastewater containing tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a commonly used flame retardant found in wastewater, can present significant toxic effects on biota, yet its impact on tropical freshwater environments is not well understood. This study explores the effectiveness of two independent anaerobic treatment systems, the acidogenic reactor (AR) and the methanogenic reactor (MR), for the ecotoxicity reduction of TBBPA-rich wastewater in four tropical freshwater species. Despite presenting good physicochemical performance and reduced toxicity of the influent for most species, AR and MR treatments remain acute and chronic toxicity. Overall, MR exhibited greater efficacy in reducing influent toxicity compared with AR. TBBPA bioaccumulation was observed in Chironomus sancticaroli after short-term exposure to 100% MR effluent. Multigenerational exposures highlighted changes in the wing length of C. sancticaroli, showing decreases after influent and AR exposures and increases after MR exposures. These findings underscore the need for ecotoxicological tools in studies of new treatment technologies, combining the removal of emerging contaminants with safeguarding aquatic biota.Practitioner Points Acidogenic and methanogenic reactors reduced the acute and chronic toxicity of wastewater containing tetrabromobisphenol A. Both treatments still exhibit toxicity, inducing short- and long-term toxic effects on four native tropical species. The aquatic species Pristina longiseta was most sensitive to effluents from acidogenic and methanogenic reactors. TBBPA concentrations recovered from Chironomus sancticaroli bioaccumulation analysis ranged from 1.07 to 1.35 mu g g-1. Evaluating new treatment technologies with multiple species bioassays is essential for a comprehensive effluent toxicity assessment and ensuring aquatic safety. A methanogenic reactor treating wastewater containing tetrabromobisphenol A reduced the effluent toxicity for tropical aquatic species. Tetrabromobisphenol A can be bioaccumulated in the freshwater insect Chironomus sancticaroli. image (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06246-7 - Biorefinery concept applied to biological wastewater treatment plants: environmental pollution control coupled with material and energy recovery
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/11042-0 - Antibiotics in synthetic and hospital wastewater, raw and treated on anaerobic reactors: toxic effects on freshwater invertebrates
• Grantee: Gleyson Borges Castro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/21901-0 - Environmental impact assessment of vinasse biodigested in anaerobic bioreactor using ecotoxicology assays
• Grantee: Mayara Caroline Felipe
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/17744-6 - Combined system for the treatment of Tetrabromobisphenol a (TBBPA) by anaerobic digestion and advanced oxidative processes
• Grantee: Williane Vieira Macêdo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate