My team focuses on the most important pollutants in wastewater from the grey water footprint perspective. The grey water footprint is a qualitative part of the water footprint methodology developed by Prof. Arjen Hoekstra. The methodology is described in the Water Footprint Assessment Manual. Very shortly, the grey water footprint represents the volume of freshwater required to assimilate pollutant load as per the existing ambient water quality standards. Some studies provided evidence that (in some cases) the Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) can be more important than "typical pollution" such as nutrients, COD, BOD etc. (for example https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.02.033). Unfortunately, information about "typical pollutants" in wastewater is lacking in many recent studies of CECs in wastewater. Therefore we try to find studies and datasets, where CECs and "typical pollution" were measured together.
Integrating data on both typical pollutants—such as nutrients, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)—and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in wastewater is crucial for comprehensive water quality assessments. While studies often focus on one category, several have examined both simultaneously, providing valuable insights into their interactions and cumulative impacts.
Key Studies and Datasets:
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Implement studies that concurrently measure both traditional pollutants and CECs to understand their combined effects on water quality.
- Data Integration: Develop integrated datasets that encompass a wide range of pollutants, facilitating holistic assessments of wastewater impacts.
- Advanced Analytical Techniques: Employ state-of-the-art analytical methods to detect and quantify both traditional pollutants and CECs accurately.
- Collaborative Research: Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations to explore the interactions between various pollutants and their cumulative environmental effects.
By focusing on studies and datasets that encompass both traditional pollutants and CECs, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of wastewater composition and its implications for environmental health. This integrated approach is essential for developing effective treatment strategies and mitigating the impacts of wastewater discharges on aquatic ecosystems.
Dear Ruqayah Al-ani, thank you for your answer, but it seems as prepared by AI. Unfortunately, we try to find studies and datasets, where CECs and "typical pollution" were measured together. Recommended articles describe CECs in wastewater but lack "typical pollution". Thanks
It's very difficult to find a parameter that could represent the huge variety of CECs. I've seen a few papers about electrical conductivity as a reasonable indicator for CECs.
Not sure what You are asking about. BOD, COD, nutrients in wastewater are covered by all good textbooks. For CEC You will find excessive data in current literature
@Kai Bester it is not a problem to find examples of BOD, COD, nutrients And other "typical" compounds in wastewater. It is also not a problem to find examples of CECs in wastewaters. A problem is to find examples when typical pollution and CECs were meassured together.
Libor Ansorge hmmmm we often analyse all these but only talk about the pharmaceuticals when publishing. However, check the monitoring of Pharmaceuticals around the Baltic Sea on the CWPharma2 in the reports downloadable from my university webpage I think both is in.
kind regards
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