Perchlorate removal in sand and plastic media bioreactors

Abstract

The treatment of perchlorate-contaminated groundwater was examined using two side-by-side pilot-scale fixed-bed bioreactors packed with sand or plastic media, and bioaugmented with the perchlorate-degrading bacterium Dechlorosoma sp. KJ. Groundwater containing perchlorate (77 μg/L), nitrate (4 mg-NO 3/L), and dissolved oxygen (7.5 mg/L) was amended with a carbon source (acetic acid) and nutrients (ammonium phosphate). Perchlorate was completely removed (<4 μg/L) in the sand medium bioreactor at flow rates of 0.063–0.126 L/s (1–2 gpm or hydraulic loading rate of 0.34–0.68 L/m 2 s) and in the plastic medium reactor at flow rates of <0.063 L/s. Acetate in the sand reactor was removed from 43±8 to 13±8 mg/L (after day 100), and nitrate was completely removed in the reactor (except day 159). A regular (weekly) backwashing cycle was necessary to achieve consistent reactor performance and avoid short-circuiting in the reactors. For example, the sand reactor detention time was 18 min (hydraulic loading rate of 0.68 L/m 2 s) immediately after backwashing, but it decreased to only 10 min 1 week later. In the plastic medium bioreactor, the relative changes in detention time due to backwashing were smaller, typically changing from 60 min before backwashing to 70 min after backwashing. We found that detention times necessary for complete perchlorate removal were more typical of those expected for mixed cultures (10–18 min) than those for the pure culture (<1 min) reported in our previous laboratory studies. Analysis of intra-column perchlorate profiles revealed that there was simultaneous removal of dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and perchlorate, and that oxygen and nitrate removal was always complete prior to complete perchlorate removal. This study demonstrated for the first time in a pilot-scale system, that with regular backwashing cycles, fixed-bed bioreactors could be used to remove perchlorate in groundwater to a suitable level for drinking water.