Research Article

Biological removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in an aerated nitrifying fixed bed reactor during ammonium starvation

  1. Ilse Forrez,
  2. Marta Carballa,
  3. Nico Boon,
  4. Willy Verstraete*

Article first published online: 19 AUG 2008

DOI: 10.1002/jctb.2016

Issue

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Volume 84, Issue 1, pages 119–125, January 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Forrez, I., Carballa, M., Boon, N. and Verstraete, W. (2009), Biological removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in an aerated nitrifying fixed bed reactor during ammonium starvation. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 84: 119–125. doi: 10.1002/jctb.2016

Author Information

  1. Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

*Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 DEC 2008
  2. Article first published online: 19 AUG 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 15 JUN 2008
  4. Manuscript Revised: 31 MAY 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 4 MAR 2008

Funded by

  • EU Commission
  • Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. Grant Number: EX2006-0963

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (201K)

Keywords:

  • ammonium monooxygenase;
  • biodegradation;
  • estrogens;
  • micropollutants;
  • nitrification;
  • post-treatment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) tend to partially remove recalcitrant chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals. Among these, the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is of great environmental concern. In this work a continuously aerated submerged fixed bed bioreactor was used for the biological removal of EE2 at µg L−1 levels.

RESULTS: Removal efficiencies higher than 96% were obtained at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4.3 days and a volumetric loading rate (Bv) of 11 µg EE2 L−1 d−1. Increasing the Bv up to 40 and 143 µg EE2 L−1 d−1 led to slightly lower removal efficiencies, 81 and 74%, respectively. Nitrification was confirmed to be the main biological mechanism involved in EE2 removal. Most interestingly, the elimination of EE2 was not affected by the absence of ammonium in the feed, suggesting that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were able to maintain their population density and their activity, even after several months of starvation.

CONCLUSION: The concept of an aerated submerged fixed bed bioreactor, capable of removing estrogens in a sustainable and biological way, shows great potential as an effluent polishing step for existing WWTPs. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (201K)