ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN THE EFFLUENTS OF LARGE WASTE-WATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN SWEDEN

Effluents from the three largest WWTPs in Sweden were analysed for the presence of organic pollutants by GC-MS. From a total of 137 identifi ed compounds only 10 were priority pollutants. A broad spectrum of non -regulated organic pollutants found in the effluents included aromatic hydrocarbons, food and household related compounds, solvents, plastic isers, flame retardants, preservatives, antioxidants and washing and c leaning related compounds. The concentrations of individual compounds in effluents of all three WWTPs were in the range of 0.5-50 mu g/l. Ra ther few point-discharged pollutants from specific industries were pre sent in the effluents. The majority of pollutants detected in the effl uents were attributable to the overall usage and discharge of chemical products in modern society. These pollutants originate from diffuse s ources and represent ''a background chemical pollution load'' of the r eceiving waters through the discharge from WWTPs in large cities. Copy right (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.