on fish embryos, etc. Growth and reproduction appear to be more sensitive to the
energy requirements of osmoregulation than parameters such as survival
(Goodfellow et al. 2000). These processes may be more sensitive to osmotic stress.
Several studies have already demonstrated that the natural variability of biological
diversity, environmental conditions, stream chemistry and flow could entail toxicity
after the addition of a saline effluent (van Dam et al. 2014).
29.2 Treatment of Inorganic/Organic CECs in Waters
and Soils/Sediments
Responsible management of contaminated water is a continuous challenge of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as well as mining activities due to their evolutive
composition. Petrović et al. (2003) reviewed the performances of conventional
municipal WWTPs. They highlighted that elimination of CECs through activated
sludge treatment (AST) was relatively low in most cases. According to their review,
the degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products such as ibuprofen,
diclofenac, naproxen, and triclosan ranged from 35 to 90%, while carbamazepine
showed a low removal, with only 7%. Low removal yields can result from the fact
that at neutral pH, pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen or diclofenac are present in
wastewater as ions that are not adsorbed on the activated sludge.
The degradation of pesticides such as chlorinated phenoxyacids seems to be
ineffective at real WWTPs even if laboratory tests showed that nearly 100% of
these compounds could be degraded. This difference of performances can be
explained by the long adaptation period of activated sludge (~ 4 months) and the
short period of extensive use of pesticides (Petrović et al. 2003). The degradation of
alkylphenolic surfactants (mainly used in personal care products) is efficient using
AST, with removal yields reaching 90–95%. However, the formation of treatmentresistant metabolites is problematic as studies showed that these compounds have the
ability to mimic natural hormones by interacting with estrogen receptors. Consequently, CECs found in municipal and industrial wastewater can enter receiving
waters because of their incomplete degradation/removal through AST and present a
risk for the environment and human health (Bolong et al. 2009; Sophia and Lima
2018).
Some characteristics and drawbacks of the main physicochemical treatment
processes for CECs in mine water are presented in Fig. 29.2. In mine water, the
treatment of CECs is challenging because of their complex chemistry and persistency, the lack of a proven best available technology economically achievable
(BATEA), and insufficient knowledge as to the optimal efficiency conditions with
mixtures of contaminants and variable effluent quality. Serious issues related to mine
water treatment can lead to delayed approvals of projects, regulatory uncertainty,
increasing complexity and operating costs, constraints on production, property
damage, and reputational impacts (Ringwood et al. 2016). As a result, the longterm satisfactory performance of water treatment processes and sustainable management of sludge produced represent a priority for governments and the mining
592
C. M. Neculita et al.
energy requirements of osmoregulation than parameters such as survival
(Goodfellow et al. 2000). These processes may be more sensitive to osmotic stress.
Several studies have already demonstrated that the natural variability of biological
diversity, environmental conditions, stream chemistry and flow could entail toxicity
after the addition of a saline effluent (van Dam et al. 2014).
29.2 Treatment of Inorganic/Organic CECs in Waters
and Soils/Sediments
Responsible management of contaminated water is a continuous challenge of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as well as mining activities due to their evolutive
composition. Petrović et al. (2003) reviewed the performances of conventional
municipal WWTPs. They highlighted that elimination of CECs through activated
sludge treatment (AST) was relatively low in most cases. According to their review,
the degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products such as ibuprofen,
diclofenac, naproxen, and triclosan ranged from 35 to 90%, while carbamazepine
showed a low removal, with only 7%. Low removal yields can result from the fact
that at neutral pH, pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen or diclofenac are present in
wastewater as ions that are not adsorbed on the activated sludge.
The degradation of pesticides such as chlorinated phenoxyacids seems to be
ineffective at real WWTPs even if laboratory tests showed that nearly 100% of
these compounds could be degraded. This difference of performances can be
explained by the long adaptation period of activated sludge (~ 4 months) and the
short period of extensive use of pesticides (Petrović et al. 2003). The degradation of
alkylphenolic surfactants (mainly used in personal care products) is efficient using
AST, with removal yields reaching 90–95%. However, the formation of treatmentresistant metabolites is problematic as studies showed that these compounds have the
ability to mimic natural hormones by interacting with estrogen receptors. Consequently, CECs found in municipal and industrial wastewater can enter receiving
waters because of their incomplete degradation/removal through AST and present a
risk for the environment and human health (Bolong et al. 2009; Sophia and Lima
2018).
Some characteristics and drawbacks of the main physicochemical treatment
processes for CECs in mine water are presented in Fig. 29.2. In mine water, the
treatment of CECs is challenging because of their complex chemistry and persistency, the lack of a proven best available technology economically achievable
(BATEA), and insufficient knowledge as to the optimal efficiency conditions with
mixtures of contaminants and variable effluent quality. Serious issues related to mine
water treatment can lead to delayed approvals of projects, regulatory uncertainty,
increasing complexity and operating costs, constraints on production, property
damage, and reputational impacts (Ringwood et al. 2016). As a result, the longterm satisfactory performance of water treatment processes and sustainable management of sludge produced represent a priority for governments and the mining
592
C. M. Neculita et al.