title: Simultaneous nitrification/denitrification and trace organic contaminant (TrOC) removal by an anoxic-aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR).
abstract: Simultaneous nitrification/denitrification and trace organic contaminant (TrOC) removal during wastewater treatment by an integrated anoxic-aerobic MBR was examined. A set of 30 compounds was selected to represent TrOCs that occur ubiquitously in domestic wastewater. The system achieved over 95% total organic carbon (TOC) and over 80% total nitrogen (TN) removal. In addition, 21 of the 30 TrOCs investigated here were removed by over 90%. Low oxidation reduction potential (i.e., anoxic/anaerobic) regimes were conducive to moderate to high (50% to 90%) removal of nine TrOCs. These included four pharmaceuticals and personal care products (primidone, metronidazole, triclosan, and amitriptyline), one steroid hormone (17β-estradiol-17-acetate), one industrial chemical (4-tert-octylphenol) and all three selected UV filters (benzophenone, oxybenzone, and octocrylene). Internal recirculation between the anoxic and aerobic bioreactors was essential for anoxic removal of remaining TrOCs. A major role of the aerobic MBR for TOC, TN, and TrOC removal was observed.
authors.affiliation: Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab, School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Biology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Hop V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.affiliation: Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab, School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: faisal@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Faisal I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Hai
authors.affiliation: Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab, School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab, School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Jinguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Decision Systems Lab, School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Hoa K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Dam
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab, School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: GHD, 133 Castlereagh St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Broeckmann
authors.affiliation: Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab, School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Long D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Nghiem
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D058440:Denitrification; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D058465:Nitrification; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012212:Rheology; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Aerobic biodegradation; Anoxic membrane bioreactor; Biosorption; Redox conditions; Trace organic contaminant (TrOC)