Adsorption and degradation of organic compounds on sludge were investigated by comparing activated and inactivated sludge at various dosages, pH values, and temperatures. The organic compounds in wastewater were identified and evaluated through fluorescence spectra. The results show that optimum adsorption occurred as the activated and inactivated sludge concentration was 4000 mg/L at a pH of 7.99 and a temperature of 30 °C. The fluorescence scanning spectrum indicated that activated sludge could remove protein-like organic matter, fulvic acid-like organic matter, and humic acid-like organic matter by 22.1, 9.4, and 41.2%, respectively, via adsorption only or by 25.9, 9.8, and 74.3%, respectively, via adsorption and degradation. Under optimum conditions, by using the good adsorption performance of sludge combined with other sewage treatment technologies, the treatment of high-content organic wastewater can be achieved.
© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.