Odour Emission Assessment in Wastewater Treatment Systems
Summary
Odour emissions from wastewater treatment systems arise at multiple stages, including raw sewage entry, biological reactors, sludge dewatering and storage, and emergency overflows. These emissions consist of complex mixtures of volatile sulphur compounds, ammonia, volatile organic compounds and microbial metabolites, often at concentrations near human detection thresholds. Assessing odour impact requires integration of source quantification, atmospheric dispersion modelling and both sensory and instrumental analysis. Sampling strategies range from flux chambers and dynamic hood systems to ambient air monitoring, while analytical approaches encompass human olfactometry, gas chromatography with sensory detection and sensor arrays. Dispersion models predict downwind concentrations and inform setback and mitigation measures. Beyond nuisance and regulatory compliance, odour assessment addresses public health concerns and community acceptance, guiding technology selection, operational adjustments and infrastructure planning. With growing urban populations and tighter air quality standards, robust methodologies for odour characterisation and control are essential for sustainable wastewater management worldwide.
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Odour Emission Assessment in Wastewater Treatment Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
Olfactometry: The use of a panel of trained human assessors to detect, quantify and characterise odour threshold and intensity.
Odour emission rate (OER): The quantity of odour released per unit time, typically expressed in odour units per second (ou s⁻¹).
Gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC-O): An analytical technique combining chromatographic separation with an odour detection port to link chemical peaks to sensory perception.
Proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry (PTR-MS): A real-time analytical method for measuring volatile organic compounds by ionising them via proton transfer.
Gaussian dispersion model: A mathematical framework for predicting pollutant concentrations downwind of a source based on atmospheric stability and wind conditions.
Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA): A structured approach to estimate the probability of infection or adverse health outcomes from exposure to microbial hazards.
References
- Evaluating the sensory and health impacts of exposure to sewer overflows on urban population. Journal of Cleaner Production (2023).
- The use of gas chromatography combined with chemical and sensory analysis to evaluate nuisance odours in the air and water environment. Environment International (2023).
- Monitoring of odors emitted from stabilized dewatered sludge subjected to aging using proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2019).
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