Biodegradation of BTEX compounds from petrochemical wastewater: Kinetic and toxicity. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muneron Mello, Josiane Maria; Brandão, Heloisa Lima; Valério, Alexsandra; de Souza, Antônio Augusto Ulson; de Oliveira, Débora; da Silva, Adriano; de Souza, Selene Maria Arruda Guelli Ulson
• Is Part Of: Journal of water process engineering. Volume 32(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Biodegradation -- Biofilm -- BTEX -- Removal -- Environment; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Seawater -- Distillation -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Purification -- Periodicals; 627
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.100914
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7144

Abstract

Highlights: BTEX compounds represent serious risk to the environment and to human health. Advances in treatment of effluents with biofilms supported on inert materials. Potential use for the biodegradation system (active bacteria and biofilm). Abstract: The BTEX compounds have potential pollution with serious risk to the environment and human health. In this study, batch and continuous bioreactors, using biofilms supported on activated carbon particles were studied to remove BTEX compounds. The activated sludge from local wastewater treatment plant was adapted to biodegrade BTEX compounds and used in this work. The obtained results showed that the biofilm well adapted with the evaluated conditions and was able to conduct a complete degradation of BTEX compounds. Additionally, particles samples demonstrated higher bacteria content ranging from 79.40 (toluene) to 8.84 mgvss /L ( o -xylene) of biomass amount. Kinetic parameters were obtained in a batch bioreactor fed daily with BTEX compounds. The tests showed that the biomass in the bioreactor was able to remove the BTEX compounds up to 300 min showing a potential strategy for the petrochemical industry. In addition, compared to the initial toxicity, after the treatment, a reduction in the acute toxicity up to 99% was observed confirm the potentiality of the proposed system in this study.