Quantitative mass flows of selected xenobiotics in urban waters and waste water treatment plants

Typical concentrations and quantitative mass flows of anthropogenic compounds (such as personal care compounds, bactericides, flame retardants, plasticizers, detergents, complexing agents, as well as mycotoxins) in waste water are compared to typical per person loads in the influents and effluents of waste water treatment plants. They are evaluated to assess their significance for the contamination of the aquatic environment. Usually the number of persons serviced by a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) is well known, as the design parameters of the WWTP heavily rely on the per person usage of water and the per person emissions of nutrients as well as organic carbon. It is the intention to use these basic data together with concentrations from some waste water treatment plants to make assessments on emissions from WWTPs, for which only basic design parameters are available. These data can be used for predictions of waste water contamination concerning pollutant loads and concentrations for waste water treatment plants that have not undergone extensive monitoring. The relevance of the respective pollutants for surface waters as well as sludge is demonstrated.