Figures (3)  Tables (5)
    • Figure 1. 

      A snapshot of a dynamically evolving narrative for emerging pollutants[39,40,44,47,48,53,58,59,66,68,7197].

    • Figure 2. 

      Effect of individual emerging pollutants on the mechanism of phosphorus removal.

    • Figure 3. 

      Relationship between emerging pollutants and polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs): (a) Effects of nano-zinc oxide (nZnO) with antibiotics, and (b) effects of microplastics (MPs) with antibiotics.

    • Pollutant type Emerging
      pollutant
      Location of plants Influent (μg/L) Ref.
      PPCPs (antibiotics) SMZ Southern California (Orange County Sanitation District), Spain (Castellon province, Girona), Europe, Canada, India (eastern), Singapore, Slovakia, China (Guangdong) 1.8600–2.1460, 0.4500, 0.4016–0.4174, 0.0142–0.0280, 0.5700, 0.002–0.0023, 0.8934–1.389, 0.051–0.320 [310]
      CIP Spain (Castellon province, Girona), Europe, Qatar (Doha), China (Guizhou), Canada, Singapore, Slovakia, China (Guangdong) 2.4500, 8.3050–13.7790, 0.0963, 0.2340–2.5430, 0.4895 ± 0.0676, 0.6000, 2.2410–6.4530, 0.4840–2.7100, 15.6000 ± 7.3200 [36,913]
      OTC China (Guizhou), Canada, Singapore, Slovakia, China (Guangdong) 0.1963 ± 0.0316, < 0.0260, 1.6290–30.0490,
      < 0.0056–0.0091, 57.7000 ± 33.8000
      [3,4,9,10,12]
      TET Qatar (Doha), China (Guizhou), Canada, Singapore, Slovakia, China (Guangdong) 0.1970–0.3190, 0.4786 ± 0.0783, 0.0530, 1.2400–12.3400, 0.0110–0.0240, 39.2000 ± 32.1000 [3,4,912]
      ERY Southern California (Orange County Sanitation District), Qatar (Doha), China (Guizhou), Singapore, Slovakia 0.0167–0.2780, < 0.0100–2.0350, 0.2586 ± 0.0272, 0.1114–0.4033, 0.0790 [3,8,9,11,12]
      AMX Singapore 1.5370–2.9510 [9]
      TCS Southern California (Orange County Sanitation District), Europe, Western Greece (Agrinio city), Singapore 0.000–0.4100, 0.0748, 0.0653, 0.3411–0.7439 [6,8,9,14]
      PPCPs (anti-inflammatory drugs) DCF Spain (Castellon province), Europe, Austria, China, Europe, Finland, South Korea, Spain, America 0.5300, 0.0495, 0.9100–4.1000, 0.1100–0.4400, 0.1500, 0.2300–0.6400, 0.0900–3.6000, 0.0300–0.7400, 0.0900–0.5800 [5,6,1527]
      PPCPs (antidepressants) FLX Europe 0.0021 [6]
      Microplastics Microplastics Thailand, South Korea, America, France, UK 12.2 × 103, 4.2 × 103, 133 × 103, 2.9 × 105,
      15.7 × 103 (m−3)
      [2832]
      Polyfluoroalkyl substances PFOS China, China (Taiwan), Japan, Korea, Singapore, America 0.0018–0.1760, 0.1750–0.2167, 0.0140–0.3360,
      < 0.0005–0.0681, 0.0079–0.3745, 0.0069–0.0330
      [3338]
      PFOA China, China (Taiwan), Japan, Korea, Singapore, America 0.0026–66.0000, 0.0176–0.0236, 0.0140–0.0410, 0.0023–0.6150, 0.2141–0.6382, 0.0090–0.0240 [33,3438]
      AMX: amoxicillin; CIP: ciprofloxacin; DCF: diclofenac; ERY: erythromycin; FLX: fluoxetine; OTC: oxytetracycline; PFOA: perfluorooctanoic acid; PFOS: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid; PPCPs: pharmaceuticals and personal care products; SMZ: sulfamethoxazole; TCS: triclosan; TET: tetracycline; NA: not available.

      Table 1. 

      Concentrations of emerging pollutants in influent of WWTPs

    • Pollutant type Emerging pollutant Concentration in laboratorial studies (mg/L) Concentrations in real wastewater (ng/L) Predicted no-effect concentration (ng/L) Ref.
      PPCPs (antibiotics) SMZ 253.28 5,600.00 94,000.00 [3945]
      SCP 285.72 5,600.00 94,000.00 [3945]
      SD 250.28 5,600.00 94,000.00 [3945]
      SMR 264.30 5,600.00 94,000.00 [3945]
      CIP 0.20, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, 3.00, 5.00, 10.00, 15.00 396.90 64.00 [40,4244,46]
      TET 0.02, 0.05, 1.00, 2.00, 5.00, 10.00 167.00 1,000.00 [4145]
      OTC 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 54.30 500.00 [41,44,45,47]
      AMX 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 509,640.00–2,134,820.00 250.00 [48,49]
      AZT 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 NA NA [48]
      CPZ 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 NA NA [48]
      FF 0.01, 2.00 900.00–3,300.00 4,000.00–26,200.00 [50,51]
      TCS 0.50–10.00 50.00–107.00 NA [52]
      PPCPs (anti-inflammatory drugs) DCF 0.01, 0.20, 1.00, 2.00 30.00–7,100.00 5.00 [5355]
      PPCPs (antidepressant) FLX 0.01, 0.10, 0.20 1.00–596.00 12.00 [53,56,57]
      Microplastics PS 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 510.00–240,000.00 particles/kg NA [5861]
      PE 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 510.00–240,000.00 particles/kg NA [5861]
      PVC 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 510.00–240,000.00 particles/kg NA [5861]
      PLA 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 510.00–240,000.00 particles/kg NA [5861]
      Polyfluoroalkyl substances PFOA 10.00 2.20–150.00 30.00–2,220.00 [6264]
      PFOS 0.10, 0.50, 5.00 1.00–220.00 NA [6365]
      Metal oxide nanoparticles nZnO 1.00, 1.20, 1.60, 2.00, 5.00, 20.00, 50.00, 100.00 212,000.00 ± 53,000.00 NA [40,66,67]
      AMX: amoxicillin; AZT: aztreonam; CIP: ciprofloxacin; CPZ: cefoperazone; DCF: diclofenac; FF: florfenicol; FLX: fluoxetine; nZnO: nano-zinc oxide; OTC: oxytetracycline; PE: polyethylene; PFOA: perfluorooctanoic acid; PFOS: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid; PLA: polylactic acid; PPCPs: pharmaceuticals and personal care products; PS: polystyrene; PVC: polyvinyl chloride; SCP: sulfachloropyridazine; SD: sulfadiazine; SMR: sulfamerazine; SMZ: sulfamethoxazole; TET: tetracycline; NA: not available.

      Table 2. 

      The concentration of emerging pollutants in laboratory studies, real wastewater, and the toxicity threshold

    • PPCP type Emerging pollutant Laboratory concentration
      (mg/L)
      Toxicity PHA degradation
      (C-mmol Cg/VSS)
      Control
      group (%)
      Phosphorus removal efficiency (%) Phosphorus removal inhibition
      rate (%)
      Ref.
      Sulfonamide SCP 0.05, 1.00 SCP > SD >
      SMR > SMZ
      3.63 ± 0.12, 83.40 ± 1.12
      (15 d, 8 h)
      93.47 88.98, 29.41 48.20 ± 0.79, 68.79 ± 3.46 [39]
      SMZ 0.05, 1.00 3.01 ± 0.24, 100.99 ± 2.52
      (15 d, 8 h)
      93.47 90.61, 98.82 3.22 ± 1.53, –5.25 ± 0.88 [39]
      SD 0.05, 1.00 3.38 ± 0.12, 98.62 ± 0.28
      (15 d, 8 h)
      93.47 83.06, 94.51 11.23 ± 0.83, –0.68 ± 4.61 [39]
      SMR 0.05, 1.00 2.82 ± 0.08, 81.62 ± 1.95
      (15 d, 8 h)
      93.47 88.57, 98.82 5.36 ± 1.55, –5.24 ± 1.70 [39]
      Tetracycline OTC 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 NA 0.35 ± 0.16, 2.30 ± 0.07 100.00 89.73, 5.50, 0.00 10.27, 94.50, 100.00 [97]
      TET 0.02, 0.05,
      2.00, 5.00
      NA 0.91 ± 0.05 (0 mg/L, 37 d),
      1.02 ± 0.14 (0 mg/L, 146 d),
      –0.95 ± 0.12 (5 mg/L, 154 d),
      0.79 ± 0.04 (5 mg/L, 232 d),
      0.92 ± 0.04 (0.02 mg/L, 37 d),
      1.05 ± 0.09 (0.02 mg/L, 146 d),
      1.09 ± 0.08 (2 mg/L, 154 d),
      0.81 ± 0.05 (2 mg/L, 154 d),
      0.84 ± 0.05 (0.05 mg/L, 37 d),
      1.68 ± 0.03 (0.05 mg/L, 146 d),
      0.11 ± 0.03 (5 mg/L, 154 d),
      0.86 ± 0.03 (5 mg/L, 232 d)
      90.76 95.62, 93.19, 52.70, 28.60 –5.35, –2.68,
      41.98, 68.50
      [43]
      β-lactam AMX 1.00,
      5.00,
      10.00
      CPZ > AZT > AMZ 9.08 ± 0.01,
      8.93 ± 0.02,
      7.77 ± 0.02
      –13.66 ± 0.02, –13.29 ± 0.03, –10.33 ± 0.02 43.99 50.55,
      47.38,
      63.22
      –14.92,
      –7.70,
      –43.69
      [48]
      CPZ 1.00,
      5.00,
      10.00
      10.89 ± 0.03,
      10.27 ± 0.02,
      12.92 ± 0.03
      –15.50 ± 0.03, –14.96 ± 0.04, –13.09 ± 0.02 43.99 43.61,
      40.44,
      39.48
      0.86,
      8.07,
      10.24
      [48]
      AZT 1.00,
      5.00,
      10.00
      11.15 ± 0.01,
      11.45 ± 0.01,
      12.45 ± 0.02
      –19.06 ± 0.03, –20.00 ± 0.03, –23.38 ± 0.02 43.99 50.14,
      49.37,
      59.74
      –13.98,
      –12.22,
      –35.77
      [48]
      Quinolone CIP 0.20, 2.00 With the increase in concentration, the toxicity becomes greater PHA synthesis: 3.31, 3.89, 4.07 (control, 0.2, 2.0 mg/L, anaerobic stages)
      PHA utilization: 0.84, 1.06, 1.46 (control, 0.2, 2.0 mg/L, anoxic stages)
      0.20, 2.00 mg/L CIP decreased PHA consumption
      96.80 ± 0.80 91.70 ± 0.60, 84.90 ± 1.30 5.27, 12.30 [46]
      Anti-inflammatory drugs DCF 0.01, 0.20,
      1.00, 2.00
      With the increase in concentration, the toxicity becomes greater 3.40 ± 0.60 (0 mg/L)
      NA, NA, NA, 1.40 ± 0.30
      92.30 ± 5.40 91.50 ± 4.90, 84.60 ± 3.80, 72.30 ± 3.20, 64.30 ± 4.20 0.87, 8.35
      21.68, 30.33
      [98]
      Antidepressant FLX 0.01, 0.10, 0.20 NA No difference in the changes in PHA under the 0.00 and 0.01 mg/L FLX treatments
      With the increase in concentration, the synthesis of PHA decreases
      92.30 ± 2.30
      (2–3 d)
      92.10 ± 3.10, 92.70 ± 2.30, 92.40 ± 2.70 23.46 (0.2 mg/L,
      100 d)
      [53]
      93.15 ± 1.80
      (100 d)
      93.15 ± 1.80, 79.10 ± 1.30, 71.30 ± 2.10
      AMX: amoxicillin; AZT: aztreonam; CIP: ciprofloxacin; CPZ: cefoperazone; FLX: fluoxetine; PPCPs: pharmaceuticals and personal care products; SCP: sulfachloropyridazine; SD: sulfadiazine; SMR: sulfamerazine; SMZ: sulfamethoxazole; TET: tetracycline; VSS: volatile suspended solids; NA: not available.

      Table 3. 

      Impact of PPCPs on PHA metabolism and the phosphorus removal efficiency of PAOs

    • Pollutant type Emerging pollutant Laboratory concentration
      (mg/L)
      Carbon source pH Temperature (°C) Phosphorus removal efficiency
      control (%)
      Phosphorus removal efficiency
      (%)
      Phosphorus removal inhibition rate (%) Ref.
      PPCPs (antibiotics) SCP 0.05, 1.00 mmol/L Acetate 7.0 21 ± 1 93.47 88.98, 29.41 48.20 ± 0.79,
      68.79 ± 3.46
      [39]
      SMZ 0.05, 1.00 mmol/L Acetate 7.0 21 ± 1 93.47 90.61, 98.82 3.22 ± 1.53,
      –5.25 ± 0.88
      [39]
      SD 0.05, 1.00 mmol/L Acetate 7.0 21 ± 1 93.47 83.06, 94.51 11.23 ± 0.83,
      –0.68 ± 4.61
      [39]
      SMR 0.05, 1.00 mmol/L Acetate 7.0 21 ± 1 93.47 88.57, 98.82 5.36 ± 1.55,
      –5.24 ± 1.70
      [39]
      CIP 3.00, 5.00, 10.00, 15.00 Acetate 7.0 30 73.93 56.67, 52.21,
      49.51, 48.37
      23.34, 29.39,
      33.05, 34.59
      [40]
      TET 0.02, 0.05, 2.00, 5.00 Acetate NA NA 90.76 95.62, 93.19,
      52.70, 28.60
      –5.35, –2.68,
      41.98, 68.50
      [43]
      OTC 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 Acetate, propionate 7.0–7.5 21 ± 1 100.00 89.73, 5.50, 0.00 10.27, 94.50, 100.00 [97]
      ERY 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 Acetate, propionate 7.0–7.5 21 ± 1 100.00 100, 86.70, 34.60 0.00, 13.30, 65.40 [97]
      AMX 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 Tryptone, yeast extract 7.0 30–35 43.99 50.55, 47.38, 63.22 –14.92, –7.70, –43.69 [48]
      CPZ 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 Tryptone, yeast extract 7.0 30–35 43.99 43.61, 40.44, 39.48 0.86, 8.07, 10.24 [48]
      AZT 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 Tryptone, yeast extract 7.0 30–35 43.99 50.14, 49.37, 59.74 –13.98, –12.22, –35.77 [48]
      TCS 0.10, 0.15 Sodium acetate, glucose 7.0–7.5 30 90.52 74.53, NA 17.68, NA [78]
      PPCPs (anti-inflammatory drugs) DCF 0.01, 0.20, 1.00, 2.00 NaAC 7.0 30 ± 1 92.30 ± 5.40 91.50 ± 4.90,
      84.60 ± 3.80,
      72.30 ± 3.20,
      64.30 ± 4.20
      0.87, 8.35, 21.68, 30.33 [98]
      PPCPs (antidepressants) FLX 0.01, 0.10, 0.20 Acetate 7.0–8.0 25–30 92.30 ± 2.30 92.10 ± 3.10,
      92.70 ± 2.30,
      92.40 ± 2.70
      0.22, –0.43, –0.11 (2–3 d) [53]
      FLX 0.01, 0.10, 0.20 Acetate 7.0–8.0 25–30 93.15 ± 1.80 93.15 ± 1.80,
      79.10 ± 1.30,
      71.30 ± 2.10
      0.00, 15.08, 23.46 (100 d) [53]
      Microplastics PES, PE, PVC 50.00–10,000.00 particles/L NaAC 7.5 25–30 PAOs activity without MPs: 29.20 ± 0.90 mg PO43–P/g MLVSS/h;
      PAOs activity with MPs: 29.70 ± 2.40 mg PO43–P/g MLVSS/h;
      No significant difference (p > 0.05)
      [92]
      PS 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 Acetate 7.0 20–40 NA NA 4.80, 15.77, 18.51, 19.20, 20.57 (8 h) [58]
      PE 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 Acetate 7.0 20–40 NA NA 2.74, 6.63, 14.40, 15.77, 18.74 (8 h) [58]
      PVC 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 Acetate 7.0 20–40 NA NA 3.20, 8.46, 11.66, 12.80, 16.00 (8 h) [58]
      PLA 80.00, 150.00, 300.00, 500.00, 800.00 Acetate 7.0 20–40 NA NA 6.17, 11.20, 15.77, 27.66, 41.37 (8 h) [58]
      NPS 0.05, 0.10, 1.00 NA 7.0–8.5 20 ± 5 75.52 60.69, 71.58, 49.48 19.64, 5.22, 34.51 [102]
      PLA 50.00, 200.00 particles/g TS Acetate NA NA Pup/Prel: 0.26 Pup/Prel: 0.20, 0.27 NA [93]
      Polyfluoroalkyl substances PFOS 0.10, 0.50, 5.00 Acetate NA 21 ± 1 98.27 ± 0.17 93.15 ± 0.19,
      97.10 ± 0.12,
      96.83 ± 0.30
      5.21, 1.19, 1.47 [65]
      PFOA 10.00 Acetate NA NA NA 3.11–10.15% decline in TP removal (0–60 d) NA [62]
      Metal oxides nanoparticles nZnO 1.00, 1.20, 1.60, 2.00 Acetate 7.0 30 73.90 51.20, 31.80, 5.39, 0.21 30.72, 56.99, 92.90, 99.72 [40]
      nZnO 100.00 NA 7.3 10 24.60 6.80 72.30 [66]
      nZnO 100.00 NA 7.3 20 10.50 24.50 –133.33 [66]
      AMX: amoxicillin; AZT: aztreonam; CIP: ciprofloxacin; CPZ: cefoperazone; DCF: diclofenac; ERY: erythromycin; FLX: fluoxetine; NPS: nanopolystyrene; nZnO: nano-zinc oxide; OTC: oxytetracycline; PE: polyethylene; PFOA: perfluorooctanoic acid; PFOS: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid; PPCPs: pharmaceuticals and personal care products; PLA: polylactic acid; Pup/Prel: phosphorus uptake/release; PS: polystyrene; PVC: polyvinyl chloride; SCP: sulfachloropyridazine; SD: sulfadiazine; SMR: sulfamerazine; SMZ: sulfamethoxazole; TCS: triclosan; TET: tetracycline; NA: not available.

      Table 4. 

      Impact of emerging pollutants on EBPRs' efficiency

    • Pollutant type Emerging pollutant Bacteria type Bacteria change Laboratory concentration (mg/L) Control group (%) Experimental
      group (%)
      Ref.
      PPCPs (antibiotics) ERY Proteobacteria 10.00 77.20 62.60 [68]
      Candidatus accumulibacter 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 57.00 37.90, 32.20, 28.70
      Betaproteobacteria 10.00 45.10 29.10
      Candidatus competibacter 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 17.60 23.70, 27.70, 28.80
      Gammaproteobacteria 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 NA Slight increase
      Bacteroidetes 10.00 13.30 24.40
      OTC Proteobacteria 10.00 77.20 56.90 [68]
      Candidatus accumulibacter 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 57.00 50.40, 39.30, 36.10
      Betaproteobacteria 10.00 45.10 29.80
      Candidatus competibacter 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 17.60 27.10, 28.60, 30.30
      Gammaproteobacteria 1.00, 5.00, 10.00 NA Slight increase
      Bacteroidetes 10.00 13.30 31.90
      ERY + OTC Proteobacteria 5.00 + 5.00 77.20 69.50 [68]
      Candidatus accumulibacter 5.00 + 5.00 57.00 11.30
      Betaproteobacteria 5.00 + 5.00 45.10 11.80
      Candidatus competibacter 5.00 + 5.00 17.60 25.80
      Gammaproteobacteria 5.00 + 5.00 NA almost tripled
      Bacteroidetes 5.00 + 5.00 13.30 20.10
      CIP Proteobacteria 0.20, 2.00 46.70 37.50, 33.50 [46]
      Candidatus accumulibacter 0.20, 2.00 30.60 20.50, 15.20
      Candidatus competibacter 0.20, 2.00 6.99 7.48, 7.58
      Chloroflexi 0.20, 2.00 NA NA
      Defluviicoccus 0.20, 2.00 11.00 11.00, 11.00
      TCS Proteobacteria 0.10, 0.15 24.47 45.52, Decrease [78]
      Candidatus accumulibacter 0.10, 0.15 Medium abundance Decrease, significant decrease
      Candidatus competibacter 0.10, 0.15 Medium abundance Decreased
      Dechloromonas 0.10, 0.15 NA Increase
      Bacteroidetes 0.10, 0.15 21.73 27.19, 20.35–37.46
      Zoogloea 0.10, 0.15 NA NA
      FF Chloroflexi 0.01, 2.00 8.15 12.66, 3.06 [50]
      Proteobacteria 0.01, 2.00 34.71 33.78, 43.38
      Candidatus competibacter 0.01, 2.00 12.49 9.26, 19.00
      Terrimonas 0.01, 2.00 9.22 5.70, 16.28
      PPCPs (antidepressants) FLX Betaproteobacteria 0.02 Less than 56.80 26.60 [102]
      Candidatus accumulibacter 0.02 NA Fell to 33.60
      Candidatus competibacter 0.02 NA Up to 45.00
      Microplastic (polystyrene) MP Proteobacteria 0.01, 1.00 79.21 68.91, NA [116]
      Bacteroidetes 0.01, 1.00 11.48 8.34, NA
      Acinetobacter 0.01, 1.00 57.12 0.94, 1.18
      Chryseobacterium 0.01, 1.00 9.65 0.23, 0.10
      Unclassified_Gammaproteobacteria 0.01, 1.00 7.33 33.30, 39.08
      NP Proteobacteria 0.01, 1.00 79.21 64.35, NA [116]
      Bacteroidetes 0.01, 1.00 11.48 5.55, NA
      Acinetobacte 0.01, 1.00 57.12 0.71, 1.59
      Chryseobacterium 0.01, 1.00 9.65 0.17, 0.32
      Unclassified_Gammaproteobacteria 0.01, 1.00 7.33 34.38, 49.63
      Metal oxide nanoparticles nZnO Proteobacteria 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 61.50 71.40, 72.60, 60.60 (43 d) [132]
      Candidatus accumulibacter 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 31.32 9.62, 0.00, 0.00 (23 d)
      Candidatus competibacter 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 15.46 2.36, 0.24, 0.12 (23 d)
      Alphaproteobacteria 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 10.98 2.44, 3.66, 3.05 (43 d)
      Betaproteobacteria 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 35.06 63.41, 65.55, 53.66 (43 d)
      Bacteroidetes 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 8.60 19.00, 19.40, 30.00 (43 d)
      CIP: ciprofloxacin; ERY: erythromycin; FF: florfenicol; FLX: fluoxetine; MP: microplastic; NP: plastic nanoparticles; nZnO: nano-zinc oxide; OTC: oxytetracycline; PPCPs: pharmaceuticals and personal care products; ↑: Increased; ↓: decreased; —: invariance; NA: not available.

      Table 5. 

      Effect of changes in EBPR systems on the microbial community structure under emerging pollutants