Occurrence, seasonal variation, and environmental impact of phthalic acid esters in a large wastewater treatment plant located in Guangzhou, China

The occurrence and fate of 14 widely used phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located in Guangzhou, China were investigated for 1 y. Results showed that PAEs were widely detected but the levels of PAEs in effluent were below the international standard. Seasonal variation of PAEs levels in the influent was observed, with higher levels in winter and spring and lower levels in summer and autumn. The mean overall removal efficiency of PAEs was 70.9% in WWTP. Results also indicated that the PAE pollution in sewage sludge was more severe than a previous report in Guangzhou. The annual emission of PAEs from effluent and sludge was 1,110 and 238 kg/y, respectively. The ecological risk of PAEs was considered to be medium, which suggested the need for advanced treatment in current full-scale WWTPs to improve the removal of PAEs and consequently, to prevent the receiving water body from the impact of PAEs.