A recent study published in “Frontiers in Microbiology” highlights innovative approaches to tackle the persistent issue of steroid estrogens in wastewater. Led by Sureka Liyanage from the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, the research underscores the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment methods, which often fall short in effectively removing these biologically active compounds.
Steroid estrogens, which enter the environment through wastewater discharges, can have detrimental effects on wildlife even at very low concentrations. Traditional treatment processes typically do not provide the necessary retention times needed for adequate removal of these contaminants. In contrast, nature-based solutions such as treatment wetlands (TW) and high-rate algal ponds (HRAP) present economically feasible alternatives, particularly for smaller communities with populations under 50,000. Liyanage’s research indicates that these methods can significantly reduce estrogen levels by over 80%, making them a promising solution for decentralized wastewater management.
One of the key advantages of TWs and HRAPs is their lower overall cost compared to advanced systems like activated sludge systems (AS) or sequencing batch reactors (SBR). This cost-effectiveness is attributed to their simpler designs, reduced material requirements, and lower energy consumption. Furthermore, these systems can often be operated by non-skilled personnel, which enhances accessibility for smaller communities.
The study also explores the potential for enhancing estrogen removal in TWs by using alternative media, such as palm mulch and biochar, instead of traditional substrates like sand and gravel. This innovation could lead to even more efficient treatment processes, albeit with the trade-off of requiring a larger footprint. However, the introduction of intensified multilayer wetland filters (IMWF) may help mitigate space requirements.
High-rate filamentous algal ponds (HRFAP) represent another emerging technology in wastewater treatment. In these systems, algae produce oxygen through photosynthesis and absorb nutrients, leading to the creation of harvestable biomass. The research highlights how the diurnal changes in oxygen levels and pH can facilitate the breakdown of estrogens and other contaminants, although the performance of these systems can fluctuate with seasonal environmental conditions.
The findings from Liyanage and her team provide valuable insights for the energy sector, particularly in the realm of sustainable wastewater management. As communities increasingly seek environmentally friendly solutions, the adoption of nature-based technologies like TWs and HRAPs could create new business opportunities. Companies involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of such systems may find a growing market, especially as regulatory pressures around wastewater treatment intensify.
In summary, the research emphasizes the potential of nature-based solutions to effectively address the challenges posed by steroid estrogens in wastewater. As communities look for cost-effective and sustainable treatment options, the insights from this study could pave the way for innovative practices in wastewater management, with significant implications for the energy sector and beyond.
