Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia Martin, Carmen Mejias, Juan Luis Santos, Irene Aparicio, Esteban Alonso
Summary: This study evaluated the availability and sorption behaviour of pharmaceuticals and metabolites in sewage sludge and sludge-amended soil. The highest levels were found in digested sludge, with metabolite concentrations in mixtures almost two-fold lower than parent compounds. The adsorption capacities varied in sludge-soil mixtures, with compost having higher log K-d values that could influence soil contamination.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Senar Aydin, Arzu Ulvi, Fatma Beduk, Mehmet Emin Aydin
Summary: The occurrences, temporal variations and ecotoxicological risks of 38 selected pharmaceuticals from 7 therapeutic classes have been observed in the anaerobically treated sludge of the urban wastewater treatment plant in Konya, Turkey. The total concentrations of all pharmaceutical compounds ranged from 280 to 4898 μg/kg of dry matter. The dominant therapeutic class was analgesics and anti-inflammatories, and the use of treated sludge as fertilizer in agricultural lands causes continuous contamination of the terrestrial environment by pharmaceuticals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paulina Godlewska, Izabela Josko, Patryk Oleszczuk
Summary: Co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge with plant biomass can minimize the toxicity of biochar, but the results vary depending on the test organism and time point.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunlong Li, Chao Shen, Yimin Wang, Lu Xu, Yilin Zhao, Siqiang Yi, Wengang Zuo, Rongjiang Yao, Xing Zhang, Chuanhui Gu, Yuhua Shan, Yanchao Bai
Summary: This study investigated the effects of sewage sludge on soil aggregate composition and stability in coastal mudflat saline soils. The results showed that sewage sludge amendment increased the proportion of macroaggregates and enhanced aggregate stability. It also alleviated saline-alkali stress and nutrient deficiency conditions. The fungal community structure was significantly influenced by the sewage sludge amendment, and certain fungal species were enriched in the amended soils. Soil pH, organic carbon content, and fungal structural diversity were found to be important factors affecting aggregate composition and stability.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akinranti S. Ajibola, Christian Zwiener
Summary: The occurrence of antibiotic residues in sewage sludge from two Nigerian hospital wastewater treatment plants was investigated. The highest concentrations were found in fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The majority of antibiotics presented low risk in sludge-amended soils, while only a few posed medium risk for aquatic ecological risk.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Paulina Godlewska, Patryk Oleszczuk
Summary: The study found that biochar derived from a mixture of SL and biomass (SLW) had a better effect on the persistence and bioavailability of PAHs in soil compared to biochar derived solely from sewage sludge (SL).
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paulina Godlewska, Magdalena Konczak, Patryk Oleszczuk
Summary: This study aimed to determine the toxicity of biochar obtained under different conditions and added to soil in a long-term experiment. The results showed that changing the carrier gas from N2 to CO2 reduced the toxicity of biochar, especially towards the plant L. sativum.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jurate Zaltauskaite, Inesa Kniuipyte, Marius Praspaliauskas
Summary: The study found that earthworms can help reduce heavy metal content in sewage sludge and increase soil fertility. Earthworms can stabilize soil pH and accelerate organic matter mineralization, which helps reduce pollutant levels. The most effective remediation and soil quality improvement were achieved under doses of 25-50 Mg ha-1.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Theresa Schell, Rachel Hurley, Nina T. Buenaventura, Pedro V. Mauri, Luca Nizzetto, Andreu Rico, Marco Vighi
Summary: This study investigated the fate of MPs in agricultural soils amended with sewage sludge and the role of surface water runoff in transferring them to aquatic ecosystems. The study found that MP concentrations remain relatively constant in agricultural soils with low infiltration capacity, and surface water runoff only mobilized a very small percentage of MPs added with sludge. Agricultural soils in semi-arid regions can be considered as long-term accumulators of MPs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Magdalena Konczak, Paulina Godlewska, Malgorzata Wisniewska, Patryk Oleszczuk
Summary: This study examines the effects of biochar derived from sewage sludge (BCSSL) or sewage sludge/biomass (BCSSLW) on the persistence and bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils with different properties. The results show that the content of organic solvent extractable PAHs decreases when biochar is applied to the soils, depending on pH and feedstock. Similarly, the content of freely dissolved PAHs also decreases. The bioavailability and persistence of PAHs in the biochar-amended soils are closely related to the chemical properties of the soils, as indicated by the significant relationships between PAH content and pH, cation exchange capacity, available nutrients, and dissolved organic carbon.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beata Tomczyk, Anna Siatecka, Aleksandra Bogusz, Patryk Oleszczuk
Summary: Converting sewage sludge into biochar and adding it to soil significantly reduces soil toxicity. The pyrolysis temperature of biochar production directly affects its ecotoxicity. Cultivating appropriate plant species can further reduce soil toxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sahar S. Dalahmeh, Gunnar Thorsen, Hakan Jonsson
Summary: During a 12-month study in Sweden, it was found that open-air storage without composting showed effective removal of hormones and antibiotics, but lower removal of pharmaceutically active substances. Composting resulted in degradation of hormones and a noticeable difference in concentrations of pharmaceuticals between the top and deeper layers of sludge piles.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kleopatra Miserli, Christina Kosma, Ioannis Konstantinou
Summary: Pharmaceuticals released from wastewater treatment plants are emerging contaminants that can have biological effects at low concentrations. Conventional wastewater treatment methods are unable to completely remove these contaminants, leading to their presence in sewage sludge. This study developed a method to detect pharmaceuticals in sewage sludge and hydrochar using a combination of extraction and chromatography techniques. The method was successful in detecting various pharmaceutical compounds in the samples tested.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Viorica Ghisman, Puiu Lucian Georgescu, Georgiana Ghisman, Daniela Laura Buruiana
Summary: Sewage sludge, when combined with soil and slag, can be used as an effective fertilizer replacement in agriculture, providing organic matter and reducing potentially toxic elements.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taylan Dolu, Bilgehan Nas
Summary: The study investigates the environmental transmission of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from agronomic practices to natural environments. The concentrations of NSAIDs and their metabolites in wastewater, sewage sludge, soils, and crops were monitored to evaluate their cycles in irrigation and sewage sludge application. The results show that while most NSAIDs are effectively removed in wastewater treatment plants, the concentrations of some compounds increase in agricultural irrigation points.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carmen Mejias, Julia Martin, Juan Luis Santos, Irene Aparicio, Esteban Alonso
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption behavior of six perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on polyamide (PA) microparticles. The results showed that perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) had the highest adsorption capacity on PA, and the size of the PA particles greatly affected the adsorption process. The study also demonstrated the role of PA microparticles as a transporter for PFASs in the aquatic environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Carmen Mejias, Juan Luis Santos, Julia Martin, Irene Aparicio, Esteban Alonso
Summary: This study developed and validated an automated method for the enantioselective determination of fluoroquinolones and their metabolites in wastewater and surface water samples. The method was able to accurately and precisely quantify the target compounds in just 14 minutes. The application of this method revealed the enantioselective transformation of LEV into (R)-OFL in surface water and the prevalence of OH-FLU D2 over OH-FLU D1 in influent wastewater.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carmen Mejias, Juan Luis Santos, Julia Martin, Irene Aparicio, Esteban Alonso
Summary: The adsorption-desorption processes of organic pollutants in Mediterranean agricultural soils were investigated. The results showed that the adsorption kinetics followed a two-step process and the compounds fitted to a linear model. The adsorption of the metabolites was positively correlated with soil organic matter, and desorption was higher in soils with less organic matter. Furthermore, the desorption rates of the metabolites were lower than that of the parent compound.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jose Raul Aguilera-Velazquez, Ana Calleja, Isabel Moreno, Juan Bautista, Esteban Alonso
Summary: This study aimed to determine the concentration of toxic metals and trace elements in cooked and digested rice, and evaluate the associated human health risks. Results showed that the bioavailability of lead was the lowest, while arsenic had the highest. Non-carcinogenic risk values in cooked and digested rice were below the toxic threshold. It can be concluded that the human metallic exposure through rice consumption is overestimated when metals are measured in raw rice.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Julia Martin, Slawomir Gonkowski, Annemarie Kortas, Przemys law Sobiech, Liliana Rytel, Juan Luis Santos, Irene Aparicio, Esteban Alonso
Summary: Studies have found that emerging pollutants are widely present in wild terrestrial mammals, but there is limited information about their effects on health. Bats, as sensitive animals, are considered the best bioindicators for assessing environmental quality for terrestrial wildlife. A non-invasive method using guano matrix was proposed to determine 20 emerging pollutants in bats, including PFAS, PB, BP, BPA, LAS, and NP, through ultrasonic solvent extraction and solid phase extraction. The results confirmed the exposure of wild bats to emerging pollutants and the suitability of bat guano matrix for understanding environmental exposure in terrestrial mammals.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Carmen Mejias, Juan Luis Santos, Julia Martin, Irene Aparicio, Esteban Alonso
Summary: In this paper, a method for the determination of antibiotics and their metabolites in sewage sludge and agricultural soil was proposed. The method utilizes ultrasound-assisted extraction, dispersive solid-phase extraction clean-up, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated and showed good accuracy and precision. The results revealed that macrolides and fluoroquinolones were the antibiotic classes found at the highest concentrations in all types of samples.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Carmen Mejias, Marina Arenas, Julia Martin, Juan Luis Santos, Irene Aparicio, Esteban Alonso
Summary: The main difficulties in analyzing pharmaceutically active compounds in solid environmental samples are the complexity of the samples and the low concentration levels of such pollutants. This study applied the Analytical Eco-scale, Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), and Analytical GREEnness metric (AGREE) to evaluate the greenness of nine analytical procedures. The results showed that the paper spray ionization method was the greenest procedure, while the use of internal standards had a contradictory environmental impact. The gaps in incorporating validation analytical features in greenness metrics were also discussed.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)