Impact of long-term and short-term magnesium hydroxide dosing on transformation of chemical biomarkers in the sewer systems

Abstract

Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) dosing is widely applied for sewer odour control. However, its impact on the fate of biomarkers used for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been overlooked. This study investigated the long-term and short-term impact of Mg(OH)₂ dosing on in-sewer transformation of 20 biomarkers. The dosing duration and amount of Mg(OH)₂ were specifically controlled in laboratory-scale sewer reactors, which led to long-term biofilm adaptation and instant change of wastewater pH. Mg(OH)₂ dosing rapidly inhibited H₂S at high pH levels and changed microbial community structure after long-term exposure. The transformation of biomarkers was a combined result of pH-driven abiotic process and biodegradation in the dosing-impacted sewers. The high stability of biomarkers like acesulfame and carbamazepine was unaffected by Mg(OH)₂ dosing. Most unstable biomarkers like caffeine, codeine and nicotine presented less degradation and extended half-lives in sewers received either long-term or short-term dosing, compared to their rapid losses under normal sewer conditions. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of both instant and lasting impacts of Mg(OH)₂ dosing on microbial community, biological activity, and biomarker stability in sewers. The longer half-lives of biomarkers in Mg(OH)₂-dosed sewers benefited WBE application due to the improved detection reliability and less uncertainty related to biomarker loss, suggesting that chemical dosing information is required for accurate WBE estimation within a catchment.