US EPA

1249543 

Journal Article 

Toxic organic micro-pollutants removal mechanisms in long-term operated membrane bioreactor treating municipal solid waste leachate 

Boonyaroj, V; Chiemchaisri, C; Chiemchaisri, W; Theepharaksapan, S; Yamamoto, K 

2012 

Yes 

Bioresource Technology
ISSN: 0960-8524
EISSN: 1873-2976 

113 

Elsevier 

174-180 

English 

22243929 

10.1016/j.biortech.2011.12.127 

WOS:000304223300031 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852411019080
Exit
 

The performance of two-stage membrane bioreactor (MBR) in term of toxic organic micro-pollutants removal was continuously monitored for 300 days under long sludge age condition. The phenolic compounds and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in landfill leachate and treated water from MBR unit were quantified by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Priority pollutants in landfill leachate were phenolics and their degradation products i.e. 4-methyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, bisphenol A at higher concentrations above 100 μg/l, PAEs i.e. dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. It was found that MBR could remove phenolic compounds and PAEs by 77-96%. Biodegradation and adsorption mechanisms were responsible for their removals in MBR. Additionally, the retention of compounds during filtration through the fouled membrane was also found significant. This research shows that the removal of organic micro-pollutants in landfill leachate was improved under higher biomass concentration and longer sludge age conditions. 

Landfill leachate; Membrane bioreactor; Phenolic compounds; Phthalic acid esters; Toxic micro-pollutants