Influence of cosubstrate and hydraulic retention time on the removal of drugs and hygiene products in sanitary sewage in an anaerobic Expanded Granular Sludge Bed reactor

Author(s)

Granatto, Caroline F. ^[1] ; Grosseli, Guilherme M. ^[2] ; Sakamoto, Isabel K. ^[1] ; Fadini, Pedro S. ^[2] ; Varesche, Maria Bernadete A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Sch Engn, Dept Hydraul & Sanitat, Ave Trabalhador Sao Carlense 400, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Washington LuizHighway, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Environmental Management; v. 299, DEC 1 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBU), propranolol (PRO), triclosan (TCS) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) can be recalcitrant in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). The removal of these compounds was investigated in scale-up (69 L) Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactor, fed with sanitary sewage from the Sao Carlos SP (Brazil) WWTP and 200 mg L-1 of ethanol. The EGSB was operated in three phases: (I) hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 36 +/- 4 h; (II) HRT of 20 +/- 2 h and (III) HRT of 20 +/- 2 h with ethanol. Phases I and II showed no significant difference in the removal of LAS (63 +/- 11-65 +/- 12 %), DCF (37 +/- 18-35 +/- 11 %), IBU (43 +/- 18-44 +/- 16 %) and PRO (46 +/- 25-51 +/- 23 %) for 13 +/- 2-15 +/- 2 mg L-1, 106 +/- 32-462 +/- 294 mu g L-1, 166 +/- 55-462 +/- 213 mu g L-1 and 201 +/- 113-250 +/- 141 mu g L-1 influent, respectively. Higher TCS removal was obtained in phase I (72 +/- 17 % for 127 +/- 120 mu g L-1 influent) when compared to phase II (51 +/- 13 % for 135 +/- 119 mu g L-1 influent). This was due to its greater adsorption (40 %) in the initial phase. Phase III had higher removal of DCF (42 +/- 10 % for 107 +/- 26 mu g L-1 influent), IBU (50 +/- 15 % for 164 +/- 47 mu g L-1 influent) and TCS (85 +/- 15 % for 185 +/- 148 mu g L-1 influent) and lower removal of LAS (35 +/- 14 % for 12 +/- 3 mg L-1 influent) and PRO (-142 +/- 177 % for 188 +/- 88 mu g L-1 influent). Bacteria similar to Syntrophobacter, Smithella, Macellibacteroides, Syntrophus, Blvii28\_wastewater-sludge\_group and Bacteroides were identified in phase I with relative abundance of 3.1 %-4.7 %. Syntrophobacter was more abundant (15.4 %) in phase II, while in phase III, it was Smithella (12.7 %) and Caldisericum (15.1 %). Regarding the Archaea Domain, Methanosaeta was more abundant in phases I (84 %) and II (67 %), while in phase III it was Methanobacterium (86 %). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50951-4 - INCT 2014: Advanced Analytical Technologies
• Grantee: Celio Pasquini
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/02640-2 - Scale-up of fluidized bed reactor for treatment of commercial laundry wastewater plus domestic sewage: optimization of operational conditions
• Grantee: Thaís Zaninetti Macedo Carmelo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate