Seasonal dynamics and strategic mitigation of volatile Sulfur compounds emissions from an urban wastewater treatment plant: a long-term monitoring and AERMOD simulation

Abstract

The emissions of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) pose odor nuisances and health risks to workers and surrounding residents, thus becoming a major environmental concern for these facilities. This study investigated the long-term monitoring of emissions of VSCs from an anaerobic/oxic (A/O) WWTP and employed the AERMOD model to simulate the dispersion of VSCs within an area of 5 × 5 km² for assessing the impact of these emissions on odor and health risks. The obtained results indicated that the emissions of VSCs from the WWTP decreased in the order of summer > autumn > spring > winter. The pretreatment unit accounted for 90.72% of the total VSCs emissions. The dispersion of VSCs was significantly influenced by the direction and speed of wind, with the largest dispersion range observed in autumn and the smallest one in spring. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were identified as the primary VSCs contributing to odor impacts. The source tracing analysis revealed that the fugitive emissions of VSCs from the grill and sand-water separation unit (SWSU) contributed most significantly to their dispersion, odor pollution, and health risks, accounting for 74.87% and 11.33%, respectively. Enclosure of the grill and SWSU with covers, adjustment of the position of the exhaust pipe of the deodorizing facility, and increment in the height of the exhaust pipe are expected to be effective measures in mitigating the negative impacts of VSCs. These measures would provide new insights into dispersion modelling, risk prediction, and emission control of gaseous pollutant emitted from other factories.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Wastewater treatment / Air pollutants / Volatile sulfur compound / Air dispersion modeling / AERMOD

Highlight

	● Long-term VSCs monitoring at A/O WWTP revealed highest emissions in summer.
	● AERMOD model was used to simulate the atmospheric dispersion patterns of VSCs.
	● Assessed the sensory and health risks associated with the dispersion of VSCs.
	● Fugitive emissions from units were the primary cause of odors and health risks.
	● Enclosure and exhaust adjustments were expected to mitigate VSCs impacts.

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