Novel metabolomic method to assess the effect-based removal efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment techniques
Jana Späth![https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2844-9785](/media/client/orcid_16x16.png)
A Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE 90187 Umeå, Sweden.
B Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
C Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE 90187 Umeå, Sweden.
D Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE 90183 Umeå, Sweden.
E Corresponding author. Email: jana.spath@umu.se
Environmental Chemistry 17(1) 1-5 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN19270
Submitted: 25 September 2019 Accepted: 28 November 2019 Published: 8 January 2020
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Environmental context. Advanced wastewater treatment is required to remove pharmaceuticals and many other consumer chemicals from wastewater effluent. There are conflicting findings, however, on the toxicity of treated effluent, and its effect on living organisms is often neglected. We show that the effect-based removal efficiency of wastewater treatment technologies can be assessed by metabolomic methods, and that this approach contributes to a safer and more controlled water quality.
Abstract. There are conflicting findings on the toxicity of effluent from wastewater treatment plants, and only limited possibilities for assessing the effect-based removal efficiency (EBRE) of different treatment techniques. We describe a metabolomics approach to detect perturbations in fatty acid catabolic pathways as a proxy for biological effects. Metabolites in three fatty acid pathways were analysed in a common damselfly larva (Coenagrion hastulatum) by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The larvae were exposed for one week to either conventionally treated effluent (activated sludge treatment), effluent additionally treated with ozone, or effluent additionally treated with biochar filtration, and results were compared with those from tap water control exposure. Five lipoxygenase-derived oxylipins (9,10,13-TriHOME, 9,12,13-TriHOME, 9-HODE, 9-HOTrE, and 13-HOTrE) decreased in response to conventionally treated effluent exposure. By using an additional treatment step, oxylipin levels were restored with exception of 9,10,13-TriHOME (ozonated effluent), and 9-HOTrE and 13-HOTrE (effluent filtered with biochar). Thus, exposure to wastewater effluent affected fatty acid metabolite levels in damselfly larvae, and a subset of the analysed metabolites may serve as indicators for biological effects in biota in response to effluent exposure. To that effect, our findings suggest a new metabolomics protocol for assessing EBRE.
References
Brodin T, Fick J, Jonsson M, Klaminder J (2013). Dilute Concentrations of a Psychiatric Drug Alter Behavior of Fish from Natural Populations. Science 339, 814–815.| Dilute Concentrations of a Psychiatric Drug Alter Behavior of Fish from Natural PopulationsCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23413353PubMed |
Brodin T, Piovano S, Fick J, Klaminder J, Heynen M, Jonsson M (2014). Ecological effects of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems—impacts through behavioural alterations. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences 369, 20130580
| Ecological effects of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems—impacts through behavioural alterationsCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25405968PubMed |
Bundschuh M, Pierstorf R, Schreiber WH, Schulz R (2011). Positive Effects of Wastewater Ozonation Displayed by in Situ Bioassays in the Receiving Stream. Environmental Science & Technology 45, 3774–3780.
| Positive Effects of Wastewater Ozonation Displayed by in Situ Bioassays in the Receiving StreamCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bundy JG, Davey MP, Viant MR (2009). Environmental metabolomics: a critical review and future perspectives. Metabolomics 5, 3
| Environmental metabolomics: a critical review and future perspectivesCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
David A, Lange A, Abdul-Sada A, Tyler CR, Hill EM (2017). Disruption of the Prostaglandin Metabolome and Characterization of the Pharmaceutical Exposome in Fish Exposed to Wastewater Treatment Works Effluent As Revealed by Nanoflow-Nanospray Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics. Environmental Science & Technology 51, 616–624.
| Disruption of the Prostaglandin Metabolome and Characterization of the Pharmaceutical Exposome in Fish Exposed to Wastewater Treatment Works Effluent As Revealed by Nanoflow-Nanospray Mass Spectrometry-Based MetabolomicsCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eggen RIL, Hollender J, Joss A, Schärer M, Stamm C (2014). Reducing the Discharge of Micropollutants in the Aquatic Environment: The Benefits of Upgrading Wastewater Treatment Plants. Environmental Science & Technology 48, 7683–7689.
| Reducing the Discharge of Micropollutants in the Aquatic Environment: The Benefits of Upgrading Wastewater Treatment PlantsCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ekman DR, Keteles K, Beihoffer J, Cavallin JE, Dahlin K, Davis JM, Jastrow A, Lazorchak JM, Mills MA, Murphy M, Nguyen D, Vajda AM, Villeneuve DL, Winkelman DL, Collette TW (2018). Evaluation of targeted and untargeted effects-based monitoring tools to assess impacts of contaminants of emerging concern on fish in the South Platte River, CO. Environmental Pollution 239, 706–713.
| Evaluation of targeted and untargeted effects-based monitoring tools to assess impacts of contaminants of emerging concern on fish in the South Platte River, COCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29715690PubMed |
Finotello S, Feckler A, Bundschuh M, Johansson F (2017). Repeated pulse exposures to lambda-cyhalothrin affect the behavior, physiology, and survival of the damselfly larvae Ischnura graellsii (Insecta; Odonata). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 144, 107–114.
| Repeated pulse exposures to lambda-cyhalothrin affect the behavior, physiology, and survival of the damselfly larvae Ischnura graellsii (Insecta; Odonata)Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28601515PubMed |
Garreta-Lara E, Checa A, Fuchs D, Tauler R, Lacorte S, Wheelock CE, Barata C (2018). Effect of psychiatric drugs on Daphnia magna oxylipin profiles. The Science of the Total Environment 644, 1101–1109.
| Effect of psychiatric drugs on Daphnia magna oxylipin profilesCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30743823PubMed |
German Environment Agency (2016). Pharmaceuticals in the environment – the global perspective. Available at https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/publikationen/pharmaceuticals-in-the-environment-the-global [verified 9 September 2019]
Gouveia-Figueira S, Karimpour M, Bosson JA, Blomberg A, Unosson J, Pourazar J, Sandström T, Behndig AF, Nording ML (2017). Mass spectrometry profiling of oxylipins, endocannabinoids, and N-acylethanolamines in human lung lavage fluids reveals responsiveness of prostaglandin E2 and associated lipid metabolites to biodiesel exhaust exposure. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 409, 2967–2980.
| Mass spectrometry profiling of oxylipins, endocannabinoids, and N-acylethanolamines in human lung lavage fluids reveals responsiveness of prostaglandin E2 and associated lipid metabolites to biodiesel exhaust exposureCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28235994PubMed |
Heberer T (2002). Occurrence, fate, and removal of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment: a review of recent research data. Toxicology Letters 131, 5–17.
| Occurrence, fate, and removal of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment: a review of recent research dataCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11988354PubMed |
Heckmann LH, Sibly RM, Timmermans MJ, Callaghan A (2008). Outlining eicosanoid biosynthesis in the crustacean Daphnia. Frontiers in Zoology 5, 11
| Outlining eicosanoid biosynthesis in the crustacean DaphniaCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18625039PubMed |
Huber MM, Göbel A, Joss A, Hermann N, Löffler D, McArdell CS, Ried A, Siegrist H, Ternes TA, von Gunten U (2005). Oxidation of Pharmaceuticals during Ozonation of Municipal Wastewater Effluents: A Pilot Study. Environmental Science & Technology 39, 4290–4299.
| Oxidation of Pharmaceuticals during Ozonation of Municipal Wastewater Effluents: A Pilot StudyCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jonsson M, Fick J, Klaminder J, Brodin T (2014). Antihistamines and aquatic insects: Bioconcentration and impacts on behavior in damselfly larvae (Zygoptera). The Science of the Total Environment 472, 108–111.
| Antihistamines and aquatic insects: Bioconcentration and impacts on behavior in damselfly larvae (Zygoptera)Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24291135PubMed |
Joss A, Siegrist H, Ternes TA (2008). Are we about to upgrade wastewater treatment for removing organic micropollutants?. Water Science and Technology 57, 251–255.
| Are we about to upgrade wastewater treatment for removing organic micropollutants?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18235179PubMed |
Knight J, Rowley AF, Yamazaki M, Clare AS (1999). Eicosanoids are modulators of larval settlement in the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 80, 113–117.
| Eicosanoids are modulators of larval settlement in the barnacle, Balanus amphitriteCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kümmerer K, Dionysiou DD, Olsson O, Fatta-Kassinos D (2019). Reducing aquatic micropollutants – Increasing the focus on input prevention and integrated emission management. The Science of the Total Environment 652, 836–850.
| Reducing aquatic micropollutants – Increasing the focus on input prevention and integrated emission managementCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30380490PubMed |
Luo Y, Guo W, Ngo HN, Nghiem LD, Hai FI, Zhang J, Liang S, Wang XC (2014). A review on the occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment and their fate and removal during wastewater treatment. The Science of the Total Environment 473–474, 619–641.
| A review on the occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment and their fate and removal during wastewater treatmentCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24394371PubMed |
Noguera-Oviedo K, Aga DS (2016). Lessons learned from more than two decades of research on emerging contaminants in the environment. Journal of Hazardous Materials 316, 242–251.
| Lessons learned from more than two decades of research on emerging contaminants in the environmentCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27241399PubMed |
Nordin A, Pommer L, Nordwaeger M, Olofsson I (2013). Biomass conversion through torrefaction. In ‘Technologies for converting biomass to useful energy: Combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction and fermentation’. (Ed. E Dahlquist) pp. 217–244. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL)
Pohl J, Björlenius B, Brodin T, Carlsson G, Fick J, Larsson DGJ, Norrgren L, Örn S (2018). Effects of ozonated sewage effluent on reproduction and behavioral endpoints in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Aquatic Toxicology 200, 93–101.
| Effects of ozonated sewage effluent on reproduction and behavioral endpoints in zebrafish (Danio rerio)Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29729477PubMed |
Reungoat J, Macova M, Escher BI, Carswell S, Mueller JF, Keller J (2010). Removal of micropollutants and reduction of biological activity in a full scale reclamation plant using ozonation and activated carbon filtration. Water Research 44, 625–637.
Sniegula S, Janssens L, Stoks R (2017). Integrating multiple stressors across life stages and latitudes: Combined and delayed effects of an egg heat wave and larval pesticide exposure in a damselfly. Aquatic Toxicology 186, 113–122.
| Integrating multiple stressors across life stages and latitudes: Combined and delayed effects of an egg heat wave and larval pesticide exposure in a damselflyCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28282618PubMed |
Ternes TA (1998). Occurrence of drugs in German sewage treatment plants and rivers. Water Research 32, 3245–3260.
| Occurrence of drugs in German sewage treatment plants and riversCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ternes TA, Stüber J, Herrmann N, McDowell D, Ried A, Kampmann M, Teiser B (2003). Ozonation: a tool for removal of pharmaceuticals, contrast media and musk fragrances from wastewater?. Water Research 37, 1976–1982.
| Ozonation: a tool for removal of pharmaceuticals, contrast media and musk fragrances from wastewater?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12697241PubMed |
Ternes T, Joss A, Oehlmann J (2015). Occurrence, fate, removal and assessment of emerging contaminants in water in the water cycle (from wastewater to drinking water). Water Research 72, 1–390.
| Occurrence, fate, removal and assessment of emerging contaminants in water in the water cycle (from wastewater to drinking water)Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25857678PubMed |
Tran NH, Reinhard M, Gin KYH (2018). Occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in municipal wastewater treatment plants from different geographical regions – a review. Water Research 133, 182–207.
| Occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in municipal wastewater treatment plants from different geographical regions – a reviewCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29407700PubMed |
Tyler CR, Jobling S (2008). Roach, Sex, and Gender-Bending Chemicals: The Feminization of Wild Fish in English Rivers. Bioscience 58, 1051–1059.
| Roach, Sex, and Gender-Bending Chemicals: The Feminization of Wild Fish in English RiversCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Praet N, De Bruyn L, De Jonge M, Vanhaecke L, Stoks R, Bervoets L (2014). Can damselfly larvae (Ischnura elegans) be used as bioindicators of sublethal effects of environmental contamination?. Aquatic Toxicology 154, 270–277.
| Can damselfly larvae (Ischnura elegans) be used as bioindicators of sublethal effects of environmental contamination?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24974017PubMed |
Viant MR (2007). Metabolomics of aquatic organisms: the new ‘omics’ on the block. Marine Ecology Progress Series 332, 301–306.
| Metabolomics of aquatic organisms: the new ‘omics’ on the blockCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weidemann E, Lundin L (2015). Behavior of PCDF, PCDD, PCN and PCB during low temperature thermal treatment of MSW incineration fly ash. Chemical Engineering Journal 279, 180–187.
| Behavior of PCDF, PCDD, PCN and PCB during low temperature thermal treatment of MSW incineration fly ashCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weidemann E, Niinipuu M, Fick J, Jansson S (2018). Using carbonized low-cost materials for removal of chemicals of environmental concern from water. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International 25, 15793–15801.
| Using carbonized low-cost materials for removal of chemicals of environmental concern from waterCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29582326PubMed |
Willenberg I, Ostermann AI, Schebb NH (2015). Targeted metabolomics of the arachidonic acid cascade: current state and challenges of LC–MS analysis of oxylipins. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 407, 2675–2683.
| Targeted metabolomics of the arachidonic acid cascade: current state and challenges of LC–MS analysis of oxylipinsCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25577350PubMed |
Yang J, Schmelzer K, Georgi K, Hammock BD (2009). Quantitative Profiling Method for Oxylipin Metabolome by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry 81, 8085–8093.
| Quantitative Profiling Method for Oxylipin Metabolome by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass SpectrometryCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19715299PubMed |