Sustainable Proposal for Regulating Organophosphate Pesticides in Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Korea

Hong-Duck Ryu (), Hyeyeol Han, Ji-Hyoung Park and Yong Seok Kim
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Hong-Duck Ryu: Water Environment Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyoungro 42, Seogu, Incheon 22689, Korea
Hyeyeol Han: Water Environment Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyoungro 42, Seogu, Incheon 22689, Korea
Ji-Hyoung Park: Water Environment Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyoungro 42, Seogu, Incheon 22689, Korea
Yong Seok Kim: Water Environment Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyoungro 42, Seogu, Incheon 22689, Korea

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) are highly toxic; their presence in surface waters is a matter of great concern. To the best of our knowledge, OPs in wastewater from agrochemical manufacturing facilities (AMFs) and influents and effluents from agrochemical wastewater treatment plants (AWWTPs) have not been previously investigated. Therefore, we investigated the presence of 8 OPs (5 of which are regulated under the Water Environment Conservation Act (WECA)) in 15 AMFs and 13 AWWTPs detected through surface water monitoring and proposed measures for effectively regulating these OPs in AWWTPs. Five OPs (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dichlorvos, EPN, and fenitrothion) were detected in the AMF and AWWTP influents; three (methyldemeton, parathion, and phenthoate) were not. Of the five detected OPs, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, and fenitrothion are not currently regulated via effluent limitations for WWTPs under WECA; thus, additional regulations are required. The most effective process configuration for the removal of these OPs was biological treatment through activated sludge processes, followed by activated carbon adsorption. In the system, 100% OP removal from the AWWTP influents was observed. This treatment technology can be implemented in AWWTPs to minimize the presence of OPs in surface waters, thereby protecting human health and aquatic life.

Keywords: organophosphate pesticide; surface water; agrochemical wastewater; wastewater treatment plant; effluent limitations; activated sludge process; activated carbon adsorption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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