Fate of steroid hormone micropollutant estradiol in a hybrid magnetic ion exchange resin-nanofiltration process

Environmental contextContamination of surface water by micropollutants is a major environmental concern because of their high persistence and toxicity. Micropollutants are only partially removed in nanofiltration water treatment systems, encouraging the investigation of more complex systems involving partitioning with membrane materials, organic matter and ion exchange resins. This study elucidates the micropollutant partitioning mechanisms in this complex water treatment system. AbstractThe accumulation of micropollutants, such as steroid hormones, in magnetic ion exchange resin-nanofiltration (MIEX-NF) poses a risk to the environmental contamination of surface water where the treated water is discharged. In this study, the partitioning of the steroid hormone estradiol (E2) with humic acid (HA), MIEX and the membrane is investigated at different feed water conditions (e.g. pH and presence of calcium). The transport and adsorption of E2 in NF is not affected significantly by the E2-HA interaction. Indeed, E2 partitions with HA between 8% and 25% at different pH. This is attributed to the presence of calcium ions, which reduces the number of HA molecules available to interact with E2 molecules. The calcium interference is evident especially at pH>10, where calcite and HA precipitate to result in irreversible membrane fouling. In the hybrid MIEX-NF process, the E2-MIEX interaction occurs at all pH conditions. Approximately 40% of the E2 total mass partitions with MIEX. This is significantly higher than E2 accumulation in NF. Since the partitioning is at least partially reversible, this poses a risk for accidental E2 release into the process streams.