The occurrence of trace organic contaminants in wastewaters, their behavior during wastewater treatment and production of drinking water are key issues in the re-use of water resources. Elimination of different classes of emerging contaminants, such as surfactant degradates, pharmaceuticals and polar pesticides in wastewater-treatment plants (WWTPs) was found to be rather low, so sewage effluents are one of the main sources of these compounds and their treatment-resistant metabolites. This article reviews the state-of-the-art in the analysis of several groups of emerging contaminants (acidic pharmaceuticals, antibacterial agents, acidic pesticides and surfactant metabolites) in wastewaters. It also discusses the elimination of emerging contaminants in WWTPs applying conventional activated sludge treatment (AST) and advanced treatment processes, such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), as well as during production of drinking water.

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Analysis and removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater and drinking water

This overview evaluates the capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) for the determination of a multitude of pesticides. The selection of pesticides for this assessment is based on the status of production, the existence of regulations on maximum residue levels in food, and the frequency of residue detection. GC-MS with electron impact (EI) ionization and the combination of LC with tandem mass spectrometers (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI) are identified as techniques most often applied in multi-residue methods for pesticides at present. Therefore, applicability and sensitivity obtained with GC-EI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS is individually compared for each of the selected pesticides. Only for one substance class only, the organochlorine pesticides, GC-MS achieves better performance. For all other classes of pesticides, the assessment shows a wider scope and better sensitivity if detection is based on LC-MS.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/mas.20091

Residue analysis of 500 high priority pesticides: better by gc-ms or lc-ms/ms?

A method has been developed for the trace analysis of 27 compounds from a diverse group of pharmaceuticals, steroids, pesticides, and personal care products. The method employs solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), using electrospray ionization (ESI) in both positive and negative modes and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in positive mode. Unlike many previous methods, a single SPE procedure using 1 L of water coupled to a simple LC method is used for all ionization modes. Instrument detection limits for most compounds were below 1.0 pg on column with reporting limits of 1.0 ng/L in water. Recoveries for most compounds in deionized water were greater than 80%. Sulfuric acid was found to be the preferred sample preservative, and structures of all MS/MS product ions are proposed. Matrix effects from waters with a high content of treated municipal effluent were observed in both ESI modes and are discussed in the paper.

Analysis of endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in water using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

External agricultural inputs such as mineral fertilisers, organic amendments, microbial inoculants, and pesticides are applied with the ultimate goal of maximising productivity and economic returns, while side effects on soil organisms are often neglected. We have summarised the current understanding of how agricultural inputs affect the amounts, activity, and diversity of soil organisms. Mineral fertilisers have limited direct effects, but their application can enhance soil biological activity via increases in system productivity, crop residue return, and soil organic matter. Another important indirect effect especially of N fertilisation is soil acidification, with considerable negative effects on soil organisms. Organic amendments such as manure, compost, biosolids, and humic substances provide a direct source of C for soil organisms as well as an indirect C source via increased plant growth and plant residue returns. Non-target effects of microbial inoculants appear to be small and transient. Among the pesticides, few significant effects of herbicides on soil organisms have been documented, whereas negative effects of insecticides and fungicides are more common. Copper fungicides are among the most toxic and most persistent fungicides, and their application warrants strict regulation. Quality control of organic waste products such as municipal composts and biosolids is likewise mandatory to avoid accumulation of elements that are toxic to soil organisms.

Impact of agricultural inputs on soil organisms—a review

http://www.renewablefarming.com/images/2015Images/2015PDF/20150815-glyphosate-toxic.pdf

Potential toxic effects of glyphosate and its commercial formulations below regulatory limits.

Environmental properties and effects of nonionic surfactant adjuvants in pesticides: a review

Analysis of polar pesticides in rainwater in Denmark by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Wet deposition of pesticides and nitrophenols at two sites in Denmark: measurements and contributions from regional sources

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method to determine alcohol ethoxylates and alkylamine ethoxylates in soil interstitial water, ground water and surface water samples.

Determination of sulfonylurea degradation products in soil by liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection followed by confirmatory liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Karl V. Vejrup

Papers

Environmental properties and effects of nonionic surfactant adjuvants in pesticides: a review

Analysis of polar pesticides in rainwater in Denmark by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Wet deposition of pesticides and nitrophenols at two sites in Denmark: measurements and contributions from regional sources

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method to determine alcohol ethoxylates and alkylamine ethoxylates in soil interstitial water, ground water and surface water samples.

Determination of sulfonylurea degradation products in soil by liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection followed by confirmatory liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.