As effect of human activities, persistent organic pollutants are discharged in the environ- ment and can be found in surface waters. They could ultimately accumulate in wastewaters treatment plants (WWTPs) which unfortunately are rarely design to face this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of waters in Tuscany region, in term of pharmaceutical active compounds (PhAC) concentration and environmental risk assess- ment. Three WWTPs managed by Publiacqua SpA located in Pistoia, Figline Valdarno and Lastra a Signa were taken into consideration. The process efficiency was studied, evaluat- ing also the effect of seasonal variability: samples were collected from both the influents and the effluents in spring, summer and winter. The chemical characterization revealed the presence of nine PhAC including three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ketoprofen, paracetamol), three antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, doxycycline), one -blocker (atenolol), one antiepileptic drug (carbamazepine) and one hormone (-estradiol). As expected, their concentration was strongly affected by the season, with high antibiotics concentration detected during cold periods. As regards the wastewaters ecotoxicity, several bioassays were performed based on three seeds (watercress, sorghum and cucumber), algae, crustaceous and luminescent bacteria. Raphidocelis subcapitata was often the most sensitive organism, but data confirmed the importance of a battery of tests with model organisms representative of different trophic levels of the aquatic ecosystem. The WWTPs did not always reduce the toxicity indicating that the waters discharged in the receiving basin still had relevant effects on the ecosystem. Ecotoxicologycal index will be performed to better define the actual environmental risk.
Evaluation of the ecotoxicologycal impact of municipal wastewaters on wildlife: a case study in Tuscany
Federica Spina;Giovanna Cristina Varese
2017-01-01
Abstract
As effect of human activities, persistent organic pollutants are discharged in the environ- ment and can be found in surface waters. They could ultimately accumulate in wastewaters treatment plants (WWTPs) which unfortunately are rarely design to face this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of waters in Tuscany region, in term of pharmaceutical active compounds (PhAC) concentration and environmental risk assess- ment. Three WWTPs managed by Publiacqua SpA located in Pistoia, Figline Valdarno and Lastra a Signa were taken into consideration. The process efficiency was studied, evaluat- ing also the effect of seasonal variability: samples were collected from both the influents and the effluents in spring, summer and winter. The chemical characterization revealed the presence of nine PhAC including three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ketoprofen, paracetamol), three antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, doxycycline), one -blocker (atenolol), one antiepileptic drug (carbamazepine) and one hormone (-estradiol). As expected, their concentration was strongly affected by the season, with high antibiotics concentration detected during cold periods. As regards the wastewaters ecotoxicity, several bioassays were performed based on three seeds (watercress, sorghum and cucumber), algae, crustaceous and luminescent bacteria. Raphidocelis subcapitata was often the most sensitive organism, but data confirmed the importance of a battery of tests with model organisms representative of different trophic levels of the aquatic ecosystem. The WWTPs did not always reduce the toxicity indicating that the waters discharged in the receiving basin still had relevant effects on the ecosystem. Ecotoxicologycal index will be performed to better define the actual environmental risk.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.