Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Elucidating the Metabolism of 2,4-Dibromophenol in Plants
Published on: February 10, 2023
Examining the biodegradation of endocrine disrupting bisphenol A and nonylphenol in WWTPs
K Press-Kristensen1, E Lindblom, J E Schmidt
1Institute of Environment & Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, DK-2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark. kpk@er.dtu.dk
Abstract:
The aim of this work was to examine biodegradation of the endocrine disrupting chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) in activated sludge. Experiments were performed in a pilot wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Copenhagen, Denmark. During standard operation the BPA concentration was halved whereas the NP concentration was unchanged. Step-addition experiments showed that biomass adaptation to increased BPA and NP concentrations took 10 to more than 40 days depending on temperature, hydraulic retention time, and pre-exposure of the biomass. Mass-balance experiments showed that above 99% of the dosed BPA and 90% of the dosed NP is removed by biodegradation at steady-state. Batch experiments showed that BPA biodegradation occur solely under aerobic conditions. The work is believed to add vital knowledge to our understanding of parameters and processes governing biodegradation of EDCs in WWTPs.
More Related Videos
09:49Use of a Battery of Chemical and Ecotoxicological Methods for the Assessment of the Efficacy of Wastewater Treatment Processes to Remove Estrogenic Potency
Published on: September 11, 2016
08:00Screening for Endocrine Activity in Water Using Commercially-available In Vitro Transactivation Bioassays
Published on: December 4, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Bioplastics
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons