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Estrogen biodegradation kinetics and estrogenic activity reduction for two biological wastewater treatment methods.
- Source :
-
Environmental science & technology [Environ Sci Technol] 2009 Sep 15; Vol. 43 (18), pp. 7111-6. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Estrogens from anthropogenic and livestock sources are a serious concern for aquatic ecosystems at concentrations less than 1 ng/L Fundamental process parameters to reduce estrogenic activity were investigated for two biotreatment methods: heterotrophic bacterial degradation in municipal activated sludge (AS) and a nitration process that is applicable to high NH4-N wastewaters. Batch tests with estrogen and nitro-estrogen compounds were conducted at nanogram per liter concentrations with mixed liquor from an AS wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) operating at a 3 day solids retention time (SRT) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR) WWTF operating at a 30-40 day SRT. The estrogenic activities of estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were reduced 80-97% following nitration. First-order biological degradation rate coefficients (kb) of the nitrated estrogens were 10-50% lower than the parent estrogen compounds. The kb values for EE2 in MBR and AS mixed liquors were similar, 1.67 and 1.63 L/gVSS-day respectively, indicating that the bacteria responsible for EE2 degradation were present at long and short SRTs. The kb values for E1 and E2 were 2 orders of magnitude greater than for EE2. EE2 degradation was 7.5 times faster in the presence of E1 and E2, and no effect was observed with other estrogen mixtures.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0013-936X
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 18
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Environmental science & technology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19806750
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1021/es901194c