In order to clarify the pollution characteristics and potential health risks of bioaerosols during leachate treatment, the concentration and particle size distribution characteristics of culturable microbial aerosols and the microbial community composition of each treatment unit of a typical leachate treatment process (two-stage A/O+MBR membrane treatment+DTRO deep treatment) were investigated and the health risks of aerosols and typical pathogen aerosols released in the leachate treatment process on occupationally exposed personnel were evaluated. The results showed that: During leachate treatment, the overall trend of aerosol concentration of culturable microorganisms showed a decrease in bioaerosol concentration with leachate treatment process (COD concentration decreasing), i.e. regulation tank > biochemical workshop > MBR workshop > DTRO workshop. The bacterial and fungal aerosols with particle sizes of 0.65~2.1μm in the whole plant treatment unit accounted for 26%~57% and 11%~59%, respectively, which had an invasion risk to the lower respiratory tract. With the leachate treatment process, the abundance of Bacillus in the aerosol increased significantly, and the abundance of Pseudomonas decreased significantly. Bacillus was very easy to aerosolize, and it was absolutely advantage in the biochemical workshop, comprehensive pool workshop, etc., and it was mainly distributed in the range of particle sizes from 3.3 to 4.7μm and>7.0μm. Alternaria was the dominant fungal genus, with a relatively uniform distribution in all units, mainly distributed in the particle size of>4.7μm. The aerosol concentration of E. coli at the points involving leachate treatment was significantly higher than that in the office area, and it was mainly distributed in the particle size of 1.1~2.1μm. The aerosol concentration of S. aureus was more variable among different points, but its concentration was overall lower than that of E. coli. The annual infection risk and disease burden of S. aureus aerosol exceeded the baseline values at all sites except the regulation tank, posing a greater threat to the health of plant workers.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |