Hydraulic residence time effects on performance of an activated sludge unit treating wastewater containing dichlorophenol.

Wastewaters containing chlorophenol compounds are difficult to treat by biological means because of the toxic effects of those compounds on microorganisms. To investigate the adverse effects of chlorophenols on microorganisms, synthetic wastewater containing 2,4 dichlorophenol (DCP) was biologically treated in an activated sludge unit at different hydraulic residence times (HRTs) between 5 and 40 hours, whereas the feed chemical oxygen demand (COD), DCP concentrations, and sludge age were kept constant at 2500 +/- 50 mg/L, 150 mg/L, and 20 days, respectively. The resazurin method based on dehydrogenase activity was used for assessment of the feed and effluent wastewater toxicity. Percent COD, DCP, and toxicity removals increased, and the effluent COD, DCP, and toxicity levels decreased with increasing HRT. Biomass concentration in the aeration tank increased with increasing HRT because of low levels of DCP at high HRT levels, resulting in high COD, DCP, and toxicity removals. The sludge volume index decreased with increasing HRT, yielding well-settling organisms as a result of low levels of toxicity and high concentrations of active cells. Percent DCP and COD removals decreased with increasing specific DCP loading rate. The rates of DCP and COD removals showed a maximum at a low DCP concentration of 6 mg/L in the aeration tank, corresponding to a 25-hour HRT.     

Impacts of COD and DCP loading rates on biological treatment of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) containing wastewater in a perforated tubes biofilm reactor

Biofilm processes offer considerable advantages for biological treatment of chlorophenol containing wastewaters since such industrial effluents are difficult to treat by conventional activated sludge processes. A rotating perforated tubes biofilm reactor (RTBR) was developed and used for treatment of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) containing synthetic wastewater. Effects of COD and DCP loading rates on COD, DCP and toxicity removals were investigated. Percent COD removal decreased and effluent COD increased with increasing COD and DCP loading rates due to toxic effects of high DCP content in the feed. DCP and toxicity removals showed similar trends. As the DCP loading rate increased the effluent DCP content increased yielding high toxicity levels in the effluent. COD and DCP loading rates should be below 90gCODm(-2)d(-1) and 2.8gDCPm(-2)d(-1) in order to obtain more than 90% DCP and toxicity removals. However, DCP loading rates lower than 1gDCPm(-2)d(-1) are required to obtain more than 90% COD removal. Empirical equations were developed to estimate percent COD, DCP and toxicity removals as functions of COD and DCP loading rates. The coefficients of the empirical equations were determined by using the experimental data. Empirical model predictions for percent COD, DCP and toxicity removals were in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Toxicity of leather tanning wastewater effluents in sea urchin early development and in marine microalgae

This study was designed to investigate the composition and the toxicity of leather tanning wastewater and conditioned sludge collected at the leather tanning wastewater treatment plant (CODISO) located in Solofra, Avellino (Southern Italy). Samples were analyzed for their conventional parameters (COD, TSS, chromium and ammonia) and for metal content. Effluent samples included raw wastewater, and samples collected following coagulation/flocculation process and biological treatment. A set of toxicity endpoints were tested using sea urchin and marine microalgal bioassays by evaluating acute embryotoxicity, developmental defects, changes in sperm fertilization success and transmissible damage from sperm to the offspring, and changes in algal growth rate. Dose-related toxicity to sea urchin embryogenesis and sperm fertilization success was exerted by effluent or sludge samples according to the following rank: conditioned sludge > coagulated effluent > or = raw influent > effluent from biological treatment. Offspring quality was not affected by sperm exposure to any wastewater or to sludge samples. Algal growth was inhibited by raw or coagulated effluent to a similar extent and, again, the effluent from the biological treatment resulted in a decreased toxicity. The results suggest that coagulated effluent and conditioned sludge result in higher toxicity than raw influent in sea urchin embryos and sperm, whereas the biological wastewater treatment of coagulated effluent, in both sea urchins and algae, cause a substantial improvement of wastewater quality. Hence a final biological wastewater treatment should be operated to minimize any environmental damage from tannery wastewater.     

固定化菌藻系统对污水处理厂出水的深度处理

将海藻酸钠固定化活性污泥和小球藻制成颗粒小球,以自制的流化床反应器对重庆市某污水处理厂出水进行深度处理,探讨了系统对氨氮、TP、COD的去除效果,实验结果表明:在HRT=12 h,溶解氧浓度为3.0 mg/L左右,pH值为6.2至8.0之间,环境室温条件下,系统对氨氮、TP、COD均有较好的去除效果,系统稳定运行后对氨氮、TP、COD去除率基本维持在60%、60%和30%以上,出水氨氮、TP、COD浓度基本维持在8、0.5和40 mg/L以下,出水浓度达到了《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》(GB 18918-2002)的一级A标准。这项研究显示固定化菌藻胶球系统在污水处理厂出水的深度处理中具有潜在的应用前景。     

铬离子对SBR工艺活性污泥毒性作用研究

针对重金属铬离子对SBR工艺系统中活性污泥的毒性作用,通过检测不同初始污泥容积指数(SVI)下SBR工艺活性污泥在不同铬负荷下的COD值、挥发性污泥浓度以及受铬离子影响的污泥容积指数(SVI),研究重金属铬离子对活性污泥的毒性作用以及对SBR工艺系统处理污水的影响。研究表明,重金属铬离子会导致SBR工艺系统出水COD升高;将铬离子对活性污泥的毒性作用按照挥发性污泥(MLVSS)铬负荷可划分为耐受范围、非耐受范围、细胞失活范围以及细胞分解范围。耐受范围铬负荷低于约30 mg Cr3+/gMLVSS,此范围内铬离子对于活性污泥的毒性作用不大,不致于导致系统出水水质变差;非耐受范围铬负荷在约30~65 mg Cr3+/g MLVSS,在铬离子作用下系统出水COD值明显高于对照系统;细胞失活范围铬负荷在约70~100 mg Cr3+/gMLVSS范围内,SVI大幅下降,微生物部份死亡和失活,出水COD尽管有一些下降,但与进水COD相比差不了多少;细胞分解范围铬负荷在约100 mg Cr3+/gMLVSS以上,微生物大量死亡,部分死亡细胞分解,系统出水COD值因微生物的死亡分解而超出进水COD值,受铬离子影响的系统SVI值大幅度降低。     

Toxicity of ferric chloride sludge to aquatic organisms

Iron-rich sludge from a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) was investigated regarding its toxicity to aquatic organisms and physical and chemical composition. In addition, the water quality of the receiving stream near the DWTP was evaluated. Experiments were carried out in August 1998, February 1999 and May 1999. Acute toxicity tests were carried out on a cladoceran (Daphnia similis), a midge (Chironomus xanthus) and a fish (Hyphessobrycon eques). Chronic tests were conducted only on D. similis. Acute sludge toxicity was not detected using any of the aquatic organisms, but chronic effects were observed upon the fecundity of D. similis. Although there were relatively few sample dates, the results suggested that the DWTP sludge had a negative effect on the receiving body as here was increased suspended matter, turbidity, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and hardness in the water downstream of the DWTP effluent discharge. The ferric chloride sludge also exhibited high heavy metal concentrations revealing a further potential for pollution and harmful chronic effects on the aquatic biota when the sludge is disposed of without previous treatment.     

Integrated catalytic wet air oxidation and aerobic biological treatment in a municipal WWTP of a high-strength o-cresol wastewater

This study examines the feasibility of coupling a Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation (CWAO), with activated carbon (AC) as catalyst, and an aerobic biological treatment to treat a high-strength o-cresol wastewater. Two goals are pursued: (a) To determine the effect of the main AC/CWAO intermediates on the activated sludge of a municipal WasteWater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and (b) To demonstrate the feasibility of coupling the AC/CWAO effluent as a part of the influent of a municipal WWTP. In a previous study, a high-strength o-cresol wastewater was treated by AC/CWAO aiming to establish the distribution of intermediates and the biodegradability enhancement. In this work, the biodegradability, toxicity and inhibition of the most relevant intermediates detected in the AC/CWAO effluent were determined by respirometry. Also, the results of a pilot scale municipal WWTP study for an integrated AC/CWAO-aerobic biological treatment of this effluent are presented. The biodegradation parameters (i.e. maximum oxygen uptake rate and oxygen consumption) of main AC/CWAO intermediates allowed the classification of the intermediates into readily biodegradable, inert or toxic/inhibitory compounds. This detailed study, allowed to understand the biodegradability enhancement exhibited by an AC/CWAO effluent and to achieve a successful strategy for coupling the AC/CWAO step with an aerobic biological treatment for a high-strength o-cresol wastewater. Using 30%, as COD, of AC/CWAO effluent in the inlet to the pilot scale WWTP, the integrated AC/CWAO-biological treatment achieved a 98% of total COD removal and, particularly, a 91% of AC/CWAO effluent COD removal without any undesirable effect on the biomass.     

Effect of textile auxiliaries on the biodegradation of dyehouse effluent in activated sludge

The textile industry is confronted with serious environmental problems associated with its immense wastewater discharge, substantial pollution load, extremely high salinity, and alkaline, heavily coloured effluent. Particular sources of recalcitrance and toxicity in dyehouse effluent are two frequently used textile auxiliaries; i.e. dye carriers and biocidal finishing agents. The present experimental work reports the observation of scientific and practical significance related with the effect of two commercially important textile dye carriers and two biocidal finishing agents on biological activated sludge treatment at a textile preparation, dyeing and finishing plant in Istanbul. Respirometric measurements of the dyehouse effluent spiked with the selected textile chemicals were carried out for the assessment of the "readily biodegradable COD fraction" of the wastewater. The respirometric data obtained to visualize the effect of the selected textile auxiliaries on biomass activity was evaluated by an adopted activated sludge model. Results have indicated that the tested biocides did not exert any significant inhibitory effect on the treatment performance of the activated sludge reactor at the concentrations usually encountered in the final, total dyehouse effluent. The situation with the dye carriers was inherently different; one dye carrier appeared to be highly toxic and caused serious inhibition of the microbial respirometric activity, whereas the other dye carrier, also known as the more ecological alternative, i.e. the "Eco-Carrier", appeared to be biodegradable. Finally, the respirometric profile obtained for the Eco-Carrier was described by a simplified respirometric model.     

Mechanism and kinetics of Zn(II) removal from wastewater by immobilised beads of SRB sludge

The treatment of Zn(II)-bearing wastewater by immobilised Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) sludge beads of inner cohesive nutrient source was investigated, by which the traditional problems in SRB methods were resolved. The mechanism and kinetics model on Zn(II) removal were studied. The results showed that SO₄²⁻ was reduced to S²⁻ on the surface of SRB sludge beads, and Zn(II) precipitated outside beads. The effect of internal diffusion could be neglected, and the chemical reaction was the rate determining step. The reaction kinetics was followed by Micaelis-Menten formula, and the constants, K_s and v_max were 8.99 mg⋅L⁻¹ and 0.018 mg⋅L⁻¹⋅s⁻¹, respectively.     

Heavy metal removal from synthetic wastewaters in an anaerobic bioreactor using stillage from ethanol distilleries as a carbon source

This work was conducted to investigate the possibility of using stillage from ethanol distilleries as substrate for sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) growth and to evaluate the removal efficiency of heavy metals present in wastewaters containing sulfates. The experiments were carried out in a continuous bench-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor (13 l) operated with a hydraulic retention time of 18 h. The bioreactor was inoculated with 7 l of anaerobic sludge. Afterwards, an enrichment procedure to increase SRB numbers was started. After this, cadmium and zinc were added to the synthetic wastewater, and their removal as metal sulfide was evaluated. The synthetic wastewater used represented the drainage from a dam of a metallurgical industry to which a carbon source (stillage) was added. The results showed that high percentages of removal (>99%) of Cd and Zn were attained in the bioreactor, and that the removal as sulfide precipitates was not the only form of metal removal occurring in the bioreactor environment.     

Treatment process and toxicities assessment of wastewater issued from anaerobic digestion of household wastes

Modern society grapples with large amounts of household waste. The anaerobic digestion of this waste offers a promising source for energy-rich biogas production but generates high toxic effluents that require treatment before reuse or disposal into the environment. This study aimed to investigate three techniques, namely coagulation/flocculation, electro-coagulation, and activated sludge, in terms of efficiency in the treatment of these effluents. It also aimed to assess their toxicity effects on the germination and growth of durum wheat Triticum aestivum L. seeds before and after 6 days of treatment. Activated sludge was most efficient in reducing chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, and conductivity (95.7 %, 15.8 %, and 37.5 %, respectively). The effluent treated with this technique induced a marked delay in germination (low mean time of germination) and a significant reduction in the percentages of seed germination and root and leaf growths. It was also noted to strongly induce lipid peroxidation in roots and leaves, which presumably explained the germination/growth inhibition of the wheat seeds. The effluent also induced marked lipid peroxidation effects and strongly inhibited the activities of butyrylcholinesterase in mice bone marrows. The effluent shows a high ability to inhibit the growth of three microalgae; these endpoints are useful tools to biomonitor the physico-chemical quality of this wastewater. Overall, while no significant alterations were observed in terms of animal and vegetable toxicities when the effluent was treated by coagulation/flocculation, activated sludge treatment proved efficient in reducing the toxicities induced by the untreated effluents. The results indicate that the application of this technique is promising with regards to attaining efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective strategies for the management and treatment of household waste.     

Toxicity to Microtox, micro-algae and duckweed of effluents from the Bai Bang paper company (BAPACO), a Vietnamese bleached kraft pulp and paper mill

Toxicity of the combined effluent as well as effluents from different production units of BAPACO, a Vietnamese bleached kraft integrated pulp and paper mill, was studied using three ecotoxicological tests: Microtox, the micro-alga, Selenastrum capricornutum, and the duckweed, Lemna aequinoctialis. Physico-chemical characteristics of the effluents were also analyzed. Due to unstable operating conditions of the mill, a number of samples taken at different monitoring periods from each effluent were tested, in order to get statistically reliable ranges and averages of toxicity characteristics. For the mill combined effluent, it was found that the micro-algae were the most sensitive followed by Microtox bacteria, while duckweed was not sensitive. Microtox tests showed that the bleaching filtrate from the chlorination stage (C-stage) was the most toxic among all effluents in the mill. The combined effluent from the bleaching plant contributed the largest TEF (Toxicity Emission Factor) to the toxicity balance of the whole BAPACO combined effluent. A less-than-additive mode of toxicity was obtained. In spite of high pollution loads, e.g. BOD, COD, SS, to the Red River, the toxicity of the effluent was considered to be low. However, during periods of low river water sublethal toxic effects on the biota may be expected.     

Multicomponent activated sludge model for reactors in series with recycling

Multicomponent models containing both substrate and biomass have an advantage over conventional models in seeking better understanding of activated sludge systems. Such models are also useful in the characterisation of wastewater. Studies in recent years have shown that most of the soluble organic matter in the effluent of treatment systems consists of soluble microbial products that arise during biological treatment. In order to support experimental studies, mathematical models have also been developed to explain microbial product formation. In connection with the approaches in the literature, a mathematical model for estimating chemical oxygen demand in effluent in dispersed media has been developed in this study. The death–regeneration approach – an approach of multicomponent activated sludge models containing the formation of soluble inert organic matter with together carbon oxidation – was used. Because the differential equations developed for dispersed media have no analytical solutions, the system was represented with the in-series reactor approach, with the death–regeneration and hydrolysis concepts advised in the IAWPRC Task Group Model.     

Removal of chromium and reduction of toxicity to Microtox system from tannery effluent by the use of calcium alginate beads containing humic acid

Removal of chromium (Cr) from tannery effluents by recovery of metal also reduces the ecotoxicological impact. To develop such a process, columns packed with calcium alginate (CA) beads with or without humic acid (HA) have been used as an adsorbent and tannery effluent was passed through it. Concentration of Cr in beads and in different fractions collected after adsorption was measured. Change in total organic carbon content during the process was also noticed. The fractions were also tested for toxicity towards Microtox assay. EC(50) values were determined with the help of Microtox analyser 500. Data showed that the CA beads along with HA could be effectively utilised in removal of 54% Cr and also in reducing the toxicity (EC(50) (%) in 5 min=>100 in fractions collected after 72 h).     

Biodegradability oriented treatability studies on high strength segregated wastewater of a woolen textile dyeing plant

Textile dyeing and finishing industry involves considerable amount of water usage as well as polluted and highly colored wastewater discharges. Biological treatability by means of mineralization, nitrification and denitrification of high strength woolen textile dye bathes, first- and second-rinses is presented. COD fractionation study was carried out and kinetic parameters were determined. Biodegradability of organic compounds in highly loaded composite wastewater after segregation and the effluent of applied biological treatment of high strength composite wastewater were measured by determining oxygen consumption rates. The results were used in terms of assessing an alternative method for inert COD fractionation. The study implied that about 80% soluble COD, 50% color and 75% toxicity reduction were possible by single sludge biological processes. Sixteen per cent of total COD was found to be initially inert. Inert fraction was increased to 22% by production of soluble and particulate microbial products through biological treatment.     

The effect of heavy metals on the activated sludge process and its microbial community analysis using 16S ribosomal DNA

The effect of heavy metal shock loading on biological treatment systems was studied by traditional methods and molecular biological techniques. Two kinds of SBR (sequence batch reactor) operation units, unacclimated and acclimated activated sludge systems, were studied. The addition of special nutrients and powdered activated carbon (PAC) to stimulate heavy metal uptake and recovery were studied. The kinetic constants could be used to describe the effect of the inhibition of substance utilisation. The results showed that heavy metal shock loading had a greater effect on the unacclimated activated sludge system than on the acclimated one. The special nutrients greatly enhanced the uptake of copper, and the PAC improved sludge settling and decreased the turbidity of the effluent. The variation of dominant species and the diversity of the bacterial community were analysed using 16S ribosomal DNA. Compared with the slight change of dominant species during acclimation by copper, there was a great change in the acclimated system shocked by a high concentration of copper. The results confirmed that the acclimation could improve the resistance of microorganisms to heavy metal toxicity.     

生物铁法去除维生素B1生产废水中COD的试验研究

生物铁法是一种新型的强化活性污泥法，处理高浓度、难生物降解维生素B1生产废水具有很大的优势。当进水COD浓度维持在8000mg／L时，COD的去除率可达94％以上，比普通活性污泥法高出9．7％。生物铁法污泥絮凝沉淀效果好，能保证系统有较高浓度的回流污泥，从而使曝气池的污泥浓度得到提高，COD的去除率也会相应地提高。     

Advanced oxidation of a pulp mill bleaching wastewater.

The degradation, by several advanced oxidation reactions, of a pulp mill ECF bleaching effluent, was studied. The initial biodegradability of the organic matter present in the effluent, estimated as the BOD5/COD, was low (0.3). When the effluent was submitted to ozonation and to five different advanced oxidation systems (O3/UV, O3/UV/ZnO, O3/UV/TiO2, O2/UV/ZnO, O2/UV/TiO2), the biodegradability increase significantly. After five minutes of reaction, the O3/UV system appears as the most efficient in to transform the organic matter to more biodegradable forms. A similar effect was observed when the effluent was submitted to an activated sludge treatment. The COD, TOC and toxicity reduction correlated well with the biodegradability enhancement after AOPs treatments.     

生物铁法去除维生素B1生产废水中COD的试验研究

生物铁法是一种新型的强化活性污泥法,处理高浓度、难生物降解维生素B1生产废水具有很大的优势.当进水COD浓度维持在8000 mg/L时,COD的去除率可达94%以上,比普通活性污泥法高出9.7%.生物铁法污泥絮凝沉淀效果好,能保证系统有较高浓度的回流污泥,从而使曝气池的污泥浓度得到提高,COD的去除率也会相应地提高.     

Fenton氧化深度处理高浓度造纸废水的中试实验

采用Fenton氧化开展了对高浓度造纸废水深度处理的中试实验,对Fenton氧化的COD的去除效果,各药剂加药量及成本,排泥量和装置运行的稳定性等进行探讨和分析,结果表明,一级Fenton氧化的COD去除率可达到90％以上,出水COD在100mg／L左右,总加药成本在6元左右,排泥量约为1～1．2kg／t废水;二级Fenton氧化的COD去除率在96％左右,出水COD小于60mg／L,总加药成本在8元左右,排泥量约为1．15～1．4kg／t废水,验证了Fenton氧化用于高浓度造纸废水深度处理达到新的排放标准的可行性。