Contamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leaching

Abstract In recent years, extensive laboratory-scale research has focused on the biofilm formation, leaching, and migration of organic chemical compounds from plastic pipes into drinking water. This research has been conducted on an existing distribution network in three rural villages near the dead...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hatem A. Fadel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2022-08-01
Series:Applied Water Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-022-01751-y
_version_ 1817998854256066560
author Hatem A. Fadel
author_facet Hatem A. Fadel
author_sort Hatem A. Fadel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In recent years, extensive laboratory-scale research has focused on the biofilm formation, leaching, and migration of organic chemical compounds from plastic pipes into drinking water. This research has been conducted on an existing distribution network in three rural villages near the dead ends to study the small diameter pipes associated with stagnant or low flow conditions. The distribution network was constructed more than ten years ago using unplasticized polyvinyl chloride pipes. Samples of water, soil, and aged pipes have been collected and tested in the laboratory. Results showed a heavy biofilm formed on the inner surfaces of the uPVC pipes. The biofilm has resulted in high concentrations of trihalomethanes, total organic carbon, and PAHs in the drinking water. The predominant PAHs were the acenaphthylene followed by the naphthalene, while no PAHs have detected at the source. The SEM images showed deterioration of pipe walls, swelled parts, and pores. The EDX confirms the migration of some elements including O, Cl, Ca, Ti, Mg, Fe and K due to the biodegradation of the pipe material and the Ca/Zn stabilizers. However, PAHs released from the plastic pipes into the flowing water are caused by metabolic activities. In addition, results showed that the surrounding soil has classified as having low organic content. Hence, uPVC pipes need protection or change in the manufacturing processes to reduce their hazards in distribution networks over time.
first_indexed 2024-04-14T02:59:42Z
format Article
id doaj.art-d5aaf68ab2f848b298f79f65e8c4249d
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2190-5487
2190-5495
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-14T02:59:42Z
publishDate 2022-08-01
publisher SpringerOpen
record_format Article
series Applied Water Science
spelling doaj.art-d5aaf68ab2f848b298f79f65e8c4249d2022-12-22T02:15:58ZengSpringerOpenApplied Water Science2190-54872190-54952022-08-0112911210.1007/s13201-022-01751-yContamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leachingHatem A. Fadel0Misr Higher Institute for Engineering and TechnologyAbstract In recent years, extensive laboratory-scale research has focused on the biofilm formation, leaching, and migration of organic chemical compounds from plastic pipes into drinking water. This research has been conducted on an existing distribution network in three rural villages near the dead ends to study the small diameter pipes associated with stagnant or low flow conditions. The distribution network was constructed more than ten years ago using unplasticized polyvinyl chloride pipes. Samples of water, soil, and aged pipes have been collected and tested in the laboratory. Results showed a heavy biofilm formed on the inner surfaces of the uPVC pipes. The biofilm has resulted in high concentrations of trihalomethanes, total organic carbon, and PAHs in the drinking water. The predominant PAHs were the acenaphthylene followed by the naphthalene, while no PAHs have detected at the source. The SEM images showed deterioration of pipe walls, swelled parts, and pores. The EDX confirms the migration of some elements including O, Cl, Ca, Ti, Mg, Fe and K due to the biodegradation of the pipe material and the Ca/Zn stabilizers. However, PAHs released from the plastic pipes into the flowing water are caused by metabolic activities. In addition, results showed that the surrounding soil has classified as having low organic content. Hence, uPVC pipes need protection or change in the manufacturing processes to reduce their hazards in distribution networks over time.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-022-01751-yBiofilm formationDead endsMigrationLeachingSmall diametersPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
spellingShingle Hatem A. Fadel
Contamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leaching
Applied Water Science
Biofilm formation
Dead ends
Migration
Leaching
Small diameters
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
title Contamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leaching
title_full Contamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leaching
title_fullStr Contamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leaching
title_full_unstemmed Contamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leaching
title_short Contamination from plastic pipes in small systems: migration and leaching
title_sort contamination from plastic pipes in small systems migration and leaching
topic Biofilm formation
Dead ends
Migration
Leaching
Small diameters
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-022-01751-y
work_keys_str_mv AT hatemafadel contaminationfromplasticpipesinsmallsystemsmigrationandleaching