Abstract
Emerging contaminants are a global concern, as Directive 2013/39/UE shows. Given the possible consequences that may lead to the presence of these compounds in water resources, different proposals are being evaluated to avoid their discharge into the environment. This study focuses on the use of a biological and physicochemical combined treatment formed by a membrane bioreactor with an advanced oxidation process coupled subsequently to degrade contaminants of emerging concern in real urban wastewater. The membrane bioreactor operated at 16 h of hydraulic retention time and of mixed liquor suspended solids. Different hydrogen peroxide dosages (25, 50, and ) were tested in the photoreactor at 20°C and the natural pH of the wastewater. Different initial concentrations of a mix of pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin, and ibuprofen) were tested. Removal efficiencies obtained in the biological stage ranged from 66.23%–96.18%, 90.63%–100%, and 90.04%–96.48%, respectively. However, complete removal was achieved after the physicochemical stage when the concentrations of contaminants in the mix were similar to current concentration levels in urban wastewater.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by EMASAGRA.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 9 • September 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 31, 2018
Accepted: Feb 7, 2019
Published online: Jul 10, 2019
Published in print: Sep 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Dec 10, 2019
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