Removal of persistent polar pollutants through improved treatment of wastewater effluents (P-THREE)

Abstract

The EU-project P-THREE started with the establishment of analytical methods for persistent polar pollutants (P3) and quality assurance, followed by screening of P3 in influents and effluents of known wastewater (WW) treatment plants (TP), receiving waters and tap water produced thereof in several European countries. A final selection of analytes for further studies has been performed. Model MBR reactors have been constructed and an optimisation on synthetic wastewater spiked with P3 (linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), naphthalene sulfonates) has been performed. An initial dynamic modelling of treatment processes has also started. Advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment has been done in groundwater with isoproturon and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO). The analysis of individual P3 and potential degradation products was also performed. An integrated systems analysis of the WW treatment processes has also been initiated.