Evaluation of herbicide (persistent pollutant) removal mechanisms through hybrid membrane bioreactors

Bioresour Technol. 2016 Jan:200:795-803. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.10.041. Epub 2015 Oct 21.

Abstract

A laboratory-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) combined with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption was researched for over seven months to evaluate the removal efficiencies and mechanisms of a moderately persistent s-triazine herbicide (Ametryn), which is commonly used in Australian sugarcane farmlands. Long-term experiments showed that MBR alone (15h hydraulic retention time (HRT)) can remove 65% of Ametryn from its influent which had a concentration of 1-2mg/L. A batch study was carried out to assess the mechanisms of removal of Ametryn through MBR and found that 0.1186mg of Ametryn/g-VSS is adsorbed onto sludge particles when 1mg/L of Ametryn is added to the mixed liquor and showed a 64% removal after 12h. This experiment confirmed that 99%, 92% and 83% removal of Ametryn could be achieved only from biodegradation, if the MBR maintains a HRT of 7.5, 2.5 and 1.5days respectively.

Keywords: Adsorption; Ametryn; Biodegradation; Membrane bioreactor (MBR); Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Australia
  • Batch Cell Culture Techniques
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biopolymers / isolation & purification
  • Bioreactors*
  • Charcoal
  • Environmental Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Herbicides / isolation & purification*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Polyethylene / chemistry
  • Sewage / chemistry
  • Triazines / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Herbicides
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Sewage
  • Triazines
  • Charcoal
  • ametryne
  • Polyethylene