Abstract

Episodic occurrences of trace organic contaminants may affect their removal by biofilters. Removal of the naturally occurring algal metabolite 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB) and the herbicide 2,4‐dichlorphenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) by seven biofilters with an average empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 8.7 min is presented under a range of intermittent exposure conditions with continuous presence of dissolved organic matter. An average 70% removal of both MIB and 2,4‐D was found under constant exposure conditions over seven months. With the use of a pseudo‐first‐order model, much of the variability in removal during this time could be explained by EBCT changes. Microorganisms in the biofilters retained the capacity to biodegrade MIB and 2,4‐D after non‐exposure periods of up to five months. However, after nine months of non‐exposure, the MIB and 2,4‐D removals were lower than with the control biofilter, although the biofilter began to quickly reacclimate to these contaminants.

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