Organic contaminants in aqueous coal conversion effluents: environmental consequences and research priorities
The anticipated implementation of an extensive coal conversion industry in the United States within several decades will result in production of substantial quantities of highly contaminated wastewater. Many of the contaminants produced, if released into natural waters, could have deleterious effects on aquatic ecosystems, and ultimately, on human life. Research is required to determine potential acute and sub-acute effects of potentially hazardous effluents constituents, and to evaluate their transport and persistence in aquatic systems. To facilitate a rational assignment of future aquatic research priorities to answer these issues, we have initiated a systematic assessment of the environmental hazards of anticipated organic components of aqueous coal liquefaction effluents by the compilation of a critical literature review. Five major classes of organic compounds have been operationally defined: (1) phenols; (2) arylamines (organic bases); (3) aliphatic hydrocarbons; (4) mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH); and (5) sulfur-containing compounds. A summary assessment of each class is presented on the basis of (1) concentrations anticipated in coal liquefaction effluents; (2) removal by wastewater treatment systems; (3) acute toxicity; (4) chronic toxic effects on aquatic organisms; and (5) environmental transport and persistence. Gaps in understanding and future research needs are identified.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7275154
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-760632-
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKANES
AMINES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AROMATICS
COAL INDUSTRY
COAL LIQUEFACTION
CONDENSED AROMATICS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FORECASTING
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
LIQUEFACTION
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TOXICITY
TRANSPORT
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION