Degradation and volatilization process of fragrance materials and triclosan in wastewater treatment plant – Comparison between field survey and laboratory experiment –

The concentrations of three fragrance materials (OTNE, HHCB, and AHTN) and triclosan at the inlet and outlet of a wastewater treatment plant were measured, and the decrease of these targeted compounds during aeration process of activated sludge was investigated experimentally and compared with that in the plant. The ratios of the decreases in the aeration experiments were 24%–46% for 8 h and were compared with the estimated decrease ratio in the plant. From a mass balance comparison including the transference to the air phase with bubbling, OTNE in the mixed liquor appeared to be majorly volatilized with bubble while HHCB to be volatilized and/or removed with excess sludge withdrawal. The volatilization for AHTN and triclosan was on the other hand, low (AHTN) or scarce (triclosan). The decrease of them is probably owing the biological decomposition.