A Study on the Distribution Characteristics and Treatability of Environmental Endocrine Disrupters (EEDs) in Municipal Wastewater

Aiming at the distribution characteristics and treatability of EEDs (Environmental Endocrine Disrupters), the EEDs in the influent of a WWTP in Xi’an were monitored for a long time. Then, the distribution characteristics of three categories of EEDs including phthalate esters (PAEs), chlorophenols and estrogens in the municipal wastewater were analyzed. At the same time, the treatability of EEDs was analyzed through utilizing different seven treatment processes to remove the EEDs in wastewater such as enhanced primary treatment, secondary biological treatment, etc. As for the distribution characteristics of EEDs, PAEs and Estrogens are the main EEDs in municipal wastewater. As for the treatability, enhanced primary treatment and biological secondary treatment could remove EEDs to certain extent. Moreover, disinfection by ozone could make up for the shortcomings of chlorination. Furthermore, EEDs could be removed more efficiently by advanced treatment processes among which O3-BAC is the optimal process.