title: A UASB reactor coupled to a hybrid aerobic MBR as innovative plant configuration to enhance the removal of organic micropollutants.
abstract: An innovative plant configuration based in an UASB reactor coupled to a hybrid aerobic membrane bioreactor designed for sustainable treatment of municipal wastewater at ambient temperatures and low hydraulic retention time was studied in terms of organic micropollutants (OMPs) removal. OMPs removal mechanisms, as well as the potential influence of biomass activity and physical conformation were assessed. Throughout all periods of operation (150 days) high organic matter removals were maintained (>95%) and, regarding OMPs removal, this innovative system has shown to be more efficient than conventional technologies for those OMPs which are prone to be biotransformed under anaerobic conditions. For instance, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim have both shown to be biodegradable under anaerobic conditions with similar efficiencies (removal efficiencies above 84%). OMPs main removal mechanism was found to be biotransformation, except in the case of musk fragrances which showed medium sorption onto sludge. OMPs removal was strongly dependent on the efficiency of the primary metabolism (organic matter degradation and nitrification) and the type of biomass.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. Electronic address: teresa.alvarino@usc.es.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alvarino
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. Electronic address: sonia.suarez@usc.es.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. Electronic address: juan.lema@usc.es.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lema
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. Electronic address: francisco.omil@usc.es.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Omil
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D005427:Flocculation; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D058465:Nitrification; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Anaerobic/aerobic; Hybrid MBR; Nitrification; Organic micropollutants; Sorption