The chemicals you are referring to are complex and not suited to biooxidation. While it is believed that some attached growth biological treatment systems, constructed wetlands for example, have an edge over conventional activated sludge suspended growth systems, the key is likely adsorbing the contaminant within a biological matrix which is held long enough to effect degradation. For this reason membrane bioreactors, with sludge retention times typically of 60 to 90 or more days, are claimed to be superior than conventional activated sludge processes at removing emerging contaminants. But the research is inconclusive. The majority of the contaminant reduction is likely adsorption to biomass and removal with waste biosolids. In effect we are primarily partitioning the contaminants from the liquid into the solid phase. I am aware of limited research into the use of biochar for adsorption followed by re-charing for organic contaminant destruction. Reverse osmosis is also just a liquid-liquid partitioning approach which results in a more concentrated waste stream requiring treatment and/or disposal.
Published by Troy Vassos, Senior Environmental Engineer
The chemicals you are referring to are complex and not suited to biooxidation. While it is believed that some attached growth biological treatment systems, constructed wetlands for example, have an edge over conventional activated sludge suspended growth systems, the key is likely adsorbing the contaminant within a biological matrix which is held long enough to effect degradation. For this reason membrane bioreactors, with sludge retention times typically of 60 to 90 or more days, are claimed to be superior than conventional activated sludge processes at removing emerging contaminants. But the research is inconclusive. The majority of the contaminant reduction is likely adsorption to biomass and removal with waste biosolids. In effect we are primarily partitioning the contaminants from the liquid into the solid phase. I am aware of limited research into the use of biochar for adsorption followed by re-charing for organic contaminant destruction. Reverse osmosis is also just a liquid-liquid partitioning approach which results in a more concentrated waste stream requiring treatment and/or disposal.