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Artificial sweeteners in end-use biosolids in Australia
Dandan Li1, Jake W O'Brien2, Benjamin J Tscharke2
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102 QLD, Australia.
Artificial sweeteners are found in biosolids, with sucralose being the most common. While present, the environmental risks from these artificial sweeteners in biosolids are considered low compared to wastewater effluent.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Ecotoxicology
- Water Quality
Background:
- Artificial sweeteners are emerging contaminants entering aquatic and terrestrial environments through wastewater and biosolids.
- Biosolids, a byproduct of wastewater treatment, can accumulate and transport these contaminants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the release of artificial sweeteners from biosolids in Australia.
- To quantify artificial sweetener concentrations in biosolids and evaluate their environmental loads.
Main Methods:
- Quantified seven artificial sweeteners in biosolids from 71 Australian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) during Census 2016.
- Assessed the relationship between artificial sweetener concentration and biosolids moisture content.
- Calculated per capita loads and annual release to the terrestrial environment.
Main Results:
- Sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, and cyclamate were detected in biosolids.
- Median concentrations ranged from 0.18 ng/g for cyclamate to 220 ng/g for sucralose.
- Annual release of artificial sweeteners from biosolids end-use in Australia was estimated at 223 kg.
- Concentrations decreased with increased dewatering time.
Conclusions:
- Artificial sweeteners are present in Australian biosolids at varying concentrations.
- The environmental risks posed by artificial sweeteners in biosolids are likely limited compared to wastewater effluent.
- Further research may be needed to fully understand long-term impacts.
