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Disinfection of Wastewater by UV-Based Treatment for Reuse in a Circular Economy Perspective. Where Are We at?

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  • Maria Cristina Collivignarelli

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
    Interdepartmental Centre for Water Research, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Alessandro Abbà

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Marco Carnevale Miino

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Francesca Maria Caccamo

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Torretta

    (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Elena Cristina Rada

    (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Sabrina Sorlini

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

Abstract

Among the critical issues that prevent the reuse of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluents in a circular economy perspective, the microbiological component plays a key role causing infections and diseases. To date, the use of conventional chemical oxidants (e.g., chlorine) represent the main applied process for wastewater (WW) disinfection following a series of operational advantages. However, toxicity linked to the production of highly dangerous disinfection by-products (DBPs) has been widely demonstrated. Therefore, in recent years, there is an increasing attention to implement sustainable processes, which can simultaneously guarantee the microbiological quality of the WWs treated and the protection of both humans and the environment. This review focuses on treatments based on ultraviolet radiation (UV) alone or in combination with other processes (sonophotolysis, photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis with both natural and artificial light) without the dosage of chemical oxidants. The strengths of these technologies and the most significant critical issues are reported. To date, the use of synthetic waters in laboratory tests despite real waters, the capital and operative costs and the limited, or absent, experience of full-scale plant management (especially for UV-based combined processes) represent the main limits to their application on a larger scale. Although further in-depth studies are required to ensure full applicability of UV-based combined processes in WWTPs for reuse of their purified effluents, excellent prospects are presented thanks to an absent environmental impact in terms of DBPs formation and excellent disinfection yields of microorganisms (in most cases higher than 3-log reduction).

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Cristina Collivignarelli & Alessandro Abbà & Marco Carnevale Miino & Francesca Maria Caccamo & Vincenzo Torretta & Elena Cristina Rada & Sabrina Sorlini, 2020. "Disinfection of Wastewater by UV-Based Treatment for Reuse in a Circular Economy Perspective. Where Are We at?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-24, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:77-:d:467594
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Samuel Dorevitch & Kendall Anderson & Abhilasha Shrestha & Dorothy Wright & Aloyce Odhiambo & Jared Oremo & Ira Heimler, 2020. "Solar Powered Microplasma-Generated Ozone: Assessment of a Novel Point-of-Use Drinking Water Treatment Method," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Yu-Hsiang Wang & Kuan-Chung Chen, 2014. "Removal of Disinfection By-Products from Contaminated Water Using a Synthetic Goethite Catalyst via Catalytic Ozonation and a Biofiltration System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Sourav Das & Neha Ranjana & Ananyo Jyoti Misra & Mrutyunjay Suar & Amrita Mishra & Ashok J. Tamhankar & Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg & Suraj K. Tripathy, 2017. "Disinfection of the Water Borne Pathogens Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by Solar Photocatalysis Using Sonochemically Synthesized Reusable Ag@ZnO Core-Shell Nanoparticles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Ao Wang & Chenshuo Lin & Zhen Shen & Zhigang Liu & Hang Xu & Jiapei Cheng & Xin Wen, 2020. "Effects of Pre-Oxidation on Haloacetonitrile and Trichloronitromethane Formation during Subsequent Chlorination of Nitrogenous Organic Compounds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, February.
    5. Jennifer L. Banach & Imca Sampers & Sam Van Haute & H.J. (Ine) Van der Fels-Klerx, 2015. "Effect of Disinfectants on Preventing the Cross-Contamination of Pathogens in Fresh Produce Washing Water," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-20, July.
    6. Maria Cristina Collivignarelli & Marco Carnevale Miino & Franco Hernan Gomez & Vincenzo Torretta & Elena Cristina Rada & Sabrina Sorlini, 2020. "Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetland for Greywater Treatment and Reuse: An Experimental Case," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-15, March.
    7. Isabella Marchesi & Stefania Paduano & Giuseppina Frezza & Luca Sircana & Elena Vecchi & Pietro Zuccarello & Gea Oliveri Conti & Margherita Ferrante & Paola Borella & Annalisa Bargellini, 2020. "Safety and Effectiveness of Monochloramine Treatment for Disinfecting Hospital Water Networks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
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