Comparison of TCPP concentrations in sludge and wastewater in a typical German sewage treatment plant—comparison of sewage sludge from 20 plants

Abstract

Tris(chloro-isopropyl)phosphate (TCPP) was identified by GC-MS by comparing mass spectra and retention times to original standards. The concentrations in wastewater of a sewage treatment plant’s influent and effluent were analysed (520 ng l⁻¹ and 380 ng l⁻¹, respectively (mean values). The concentrations of TCPP in the wastewater inflow exhibited a high variability. The elimination of this compound in the sewage treatment plant also exhibits a high variability but is low. Additionally the concentrations in sewage sludge of the same plant were determined (mean value 5100 ng g⁻¹ dry weight; 1700 ng g⁻¹ wet weight, respectively). For a comparison sludge samples from twenty other plants were analysed. In these samples concentrations ranging from 1000–20 000 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight) were determined. Thus sorption to sludge does occur to some extent.