MECROPLAN: Mapping of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in landfill leachate
KEY POINTS- contaminants of emerging concern
- landfill leachate
- remediation
Project overview
Participants
More related research
Global goals
- 3. Good health and well-being
- 6. Clean water and sanitation
- 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- 14. Life below water
Short summary
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) — such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors, industrial chemicals and their byproducts, PFAS, and microplastics — are widely used in everyday products and often end up in landfills, eventually leaking into the environment. Current landfill leachate treatments mainly target nutrients and metals, leaving CECs largely untreated.
This project maps CECs in Swedish landfill leachates and develops strategies to reduce their impact on aquatic ecosystems and human health. We aim to:
- Identify key CECs and microplastics released from landfills.
- Track their transport, seasonal patterns, and effects on nearby water bodies.
- Enhance removal techniques using mycoremediation and biochar.
Our work supports the national goal of a non-toxic environment and provides a scientific foundation for improved treatment technologies, helping landfill operators make informed investments to protect water quality.
Publications:
- Wong TY, Celma A.; Storm N; Hultberg M; Golovko O. Qualitative analysis on contaminants of emerging concern in Swedish landfill leachates: a snapshot of occurrence and spatio-temporal variability. Environment International, 2025, 204, 109834
- M. Hultberg, T. Y. (Patrick) Wong, B. Speksnijder, O. Golovko. Fungal-based wastewater treatment: pharmaceutical removal and nutrient release from a pellet system. Water Research X. Volume 29, 1 December 2025, 100440
- Golovko O., Sörengård, M., Koba Ucun, O., Fedorova, G. Evaluation of targeted and high-resolution mass spectrometry methods for environmental monitoring of pharmaceuticals. MethodsX, Volume 15, December 2025, 103666
- Speksnijder, B., Celma, A., Tyka, M., Simha, P., Golovko, O. Biochar potential for long-term pharmaceutical remediation in flow-through tertiary wastewater systems. Journal of Environmental Management. 2025, 394, 127389
- Hewage, R., Golovko, O., Hultberg, M. Spawn-based pellets of Pleurotus ostreatus as an applied approach for the production of laccase in different types of water. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 2025, 229, 107092
Master students and visiting PhD students:
Natalie Storm, Master students, 2024
Anna Kamél, Master students , 2025
Jhesibel Chavez Ortiz, visiting PhD student (UV, ES), February–August 2026
Gayani Rajakaruna Kapukotuwa (FROV, JCU,CZ), February–May 2026