TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison between aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors for trace organic contaminant removal in wastewater treatment
AU - Liu, Wancen
AU - Song, Xiaoye
AU - Huda, Nazmul
AU - Xie, Ming
AU - Li, Guoxue
AU - Luo, Wenhai
PY - 2020/2
Y1 - 2020/2
N2 - This study compared the removal of fifteen trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) by aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors, denoted as AeMBR and AnMBR, respectively. Results show that the removal of TrOCs by either AeMBR or AnMBR was determined largely by their hydrophobicity. Almost all hydrophobic TrOCs were effectively removed (>60%) while the removal of hydrophilic compounds varied (3.6%–98.7%). AeMBR was more effective than AnMBR for the removal of all TrOCs investigated with a few exceptions. Compared to AeMBR, the removal of compounds containing nitrogen in their molecular structures (e.g. amitriptyline, carbamazepine, and atrazine) was higher by AnMBR. Of all TrOCs investigated, considerable accumulation in biosolids only occurred to amitriptyline, 4-tert-octyphenol and triclosan, particularly during AnMBR treatment. Nevertheless, biodegradation and/or biotransformation was the main mechanism for TrOC removal by both AeMBR and AnMBR. Moreover, removal of bulk organic matter indicated by total organic carbon and nitrogen was comparable for these two systems.
AB - This study compared the removal of fifteen trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) by aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors, denoted as AeMBR and AnMBR, respectively. Results show that the removal of TrOCs by either AeMBR or AnMBR was determined largely by their hydrophobicity. Almost all hydrophobic TrOCs were effectively removed (>60%) while the removal of hydrophilic compounds varied (3.6%–98.7%). AeMBR was more effective than AnMBR for the removal of all TrOCs investigated with a few exceptions. Compared to AeMBR, the removal of compounds containing nitrogen in their molecular structures (e.g. amitriptyline, carbamazepine, and atrazine) was higher by AnMBR. Of all TrOCs investigated, considerable accumulation in biosolids only occurred to amitriptyline, 4-tert-octyphenol and triclosan, particularly during AnMBR treatment. Nevertheless, biodegradation and/or biotransformation was the main mechanism for TrOC removal by both AeMBR and AnMBR. Moreover, removal of bulk organic matter indicated by total organic carbon and nitrogen was comparable for these two systems.
KW - Aerobic membrane bioreactor
KW - Anaerobic membrane bioreactor
KW - Trace organic contaminants
KW - Wastewater treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85082616744&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.eti.2019.100564
DO - 10.1016/j.eti.2019.100564
M3 - Article
SN - 2352-1864
VL - 17
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - Environmental Technology and Innovation
JF - Environmental Technology and Innovation
M1 - 100564
ER -