Abstract
Sewage treatment plants effluent is considered the primary source of many micropollutants in aquatic systems since their biological treatment is commonly unable to remove persistent micropollutants. However, its efficacy can be achieved with the aid of advanced treatment technologies, such as membrane processes. This work evaluated the removal efficiency of 7 pharmaceuticals (Ketoprofen, Prednisone, Fenofibrate, Fluconazole, Betamethasone, Loratadine and 17α-Ethinyl estradiol) in a hybrid system (EGSB-MBR) where an ultrafiltration membrane was submerged in an anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor. This integrated system improved the removal efficiencies of pharmaceuticals (>84 %) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The EGSB reactor alone showed COD reductions around 92 %, while the EGSB-MBR system achieved COD reductions above 98 %. Furthermore, the permeate showed lower concentrations of nutrients (P, N-NH4+) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) than the effluent from the anaerobic reactor alone. Anaerobic biodegradability tests, together with bioreactor results, pointed out the mechanisms involved in the removal of each drug. The risk assessment showed that the permeate presented a low probability of risk to human health and that the UF membrane was able to reduce the risk of the final effluent.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
