The occurrence and fate of siloxanes in wastewater treatment plant in Harbin, China.

The occurrence and fate of four cyclic (D3 to D6) and 10 linear (L5 to L14) siloxanes were investigated in influent and effluent wastewater, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and surrounding air and soil within the WWTP in Harbin, Northeast China. The mean concentrations of total siloxanes in influent and effluent were 4780 and 997 ng/L and in excess sludge and aerobic sludge were 25.1 and 32.3 μg/g dw, respectively. The concentrations in air and soil within the WWTP were 243 ng/m(3) and 4960 ng/g dw, respectively. A similar composition profile of siloxanes in influent and sludge suggests their same source. Seasonal variation with concentration was comprehensively studied. It was found that temperature and rainfall are the two important factors for the seasonal variation of siloxanes. Adsorption with sewage sludge was the major way for the removal of siloxanes during the municipal wastewater treatment process. Overall, on a daily basis, the mass loading of the Σsiloxanes into the WWTP, out of the WWTP with the effluent and sludge, were estimated to be 3.0, 0.6 and 1.3 kg, respectively. In general, 21 % of siloxanes were discharged into the receiving body (Songhua River), 43 % of siloxanes were absorbed on sludge, and 36 % of siloxanes were lost during the whole process of WWTP.