Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and microplastics are understandably generating public concern. As a result, industries around the world are facing tougher challenges as regulations stricken, so how do industries ensure they’re not causing harm?
The United Nations has addressed this growing concern to tackle the ongoing global challenge of unsafe water and wastewater in Sustainable Development Goal six, which calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water free from fecal and chemical contamination.
In terms of chemical contamination, inadequate management of urban, industrial and agricultural wastewater means the drinking water of hundreds of millions of people is dangerously contaminated or chemically polluted.
To tackle this global issue, heavy or specialized industries and those dealing with chemicals and pharmaceuticals — who often have a complex mix of contaminants in their wastewater — are now required to meet tough regulations that require higher levels of wastewater treatment prior to discharge. However, the options for treatment remain limited.
Brandy Nussbaum, Sales Manager at AnoxKaldnes — a subsidiary of Veolia Water Technologies — shares how our clients reply on Tracer™, a family of specialized MBBR treatment solutions. This technology specializes in the treatment of glycols, cyanide, selenium and other complex compounds to ensure industrial wastewater is less hazardous to human health and the environment.
Considering growing public concern, how is industry addressing the ‘invisible water crisis’ of global water pollution?
Because dissolved pollutants cannot be seen they are often considered the invisible water crisis. Industries are constantly evolving their methods of production, whatever that is, and what is left behind is often a complex mix of compounds that, if left untreated, are harmful to nature. These compounds are also often complex such as cyanides or perchlorates and their treatment requires specialized knowledge of microbiology. In most cases, these challenging compounds are first brought into the lab where we can study their treatment in bench-scale simulations prior to designing and building full-scale plants. We work with our clients to understand their needs and we work with nature to find the right set of conditions whereby the dangerous compounds can be transformed into something that is no longer harmful.
When it comes to ensuring wastewater is safe, what are the emerging chemicals your customers are seeking advice on?
“Regulations are certainly helping to drive industry action but we also see that many companies, like us, are inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals and they are challenging themselves to look at ways to remove harmful compounds from their wastewater. Microcontaminants such as drug residuals and health care products are certainly getting attention as regulations are being considered in some markets. However, another growing trend is toward reuse and that means that many heavy industries are looking to reclaim their wastewater for their own use. If we are able to treat production byproducts from mining, oil and gas, and pulp and paper, then it might be possible for the plant to reuse the water in other parts of their production. Whether it’s regulatory, global-minded or self-serving interests, the ability to treat harmful compounds using biological means just makes sense.”
How does Tracer treat complex compounds in industrial effluents?
“The list of potential compounds that can fall into the Tracer family is endless. Tracer is based on MBBR technology which utilizes biofilm to treat pollutants in wastewater. The treatment of complex compounds such as cyanides or selenium often requires multiple biological steps and MBBR is ideally suited for this. By creating unique treatment zones we are able to give the bacteria the correct environment for them to help us treat these harmful compounds. At AnoxKaldnes, we believe in harnessing the power of nature to help us solve our most complex wastewater treatment challenges and Tracer is a great example of that.”
Environmental experts are campaigning to move beyond regulating individual chemicals — whereby slight changes to chemical composition circumvent regulation — how do you think this will progress?
“We have already seen this happening in some markets and I think the trend will continue. However, we also see changes to the way municipalities are challenging industries to limit the volume and type of discharge that is allowed.”
Glycols — in its simplest form, is a colorless, odorless, viscous fluid used primarily as antifreeze and heat exchange fluid by the automotive industry. It is also a solvent, used to make polyester fibers and can be found in pharmaceutical products, resin production, and used in oil and gas production.
Cyanides — Cyanide can be a colorless gas, such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or cyanogen chloride (CNCl), or a crystal form such as sodium cyanide (NaCN) or potassium cyanide (KCN). In manufacturing, it is used to make paper, textiles, and plastics, it is present in the chemicals used to develop photographs and in gas form it is used to exterminate pests and vermin.
Selenium — the main commercial uses are glassmaking and pigments as it is a semiconductor and is used in photocells. Although trace amounts of selenium are necessary for cellular function in many animals, including humans, both elemental selenium and (especially) selenium salts are toxic in even small doses.
