Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
Color, organic matter and sulfate removal from textile effluents by anaerobic and aerobic processes
F M Amaral1, M T Kato1, L Florêncio1
1Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Acadêmico Hélio Ramos, s/n. Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE CEP: 50740-530, Brazil.
Abstract:
An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)-submerged aerated biofilter (SAB) system was evaluated to remove color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from real textile effluent. The system was operated for 335 days in three phases (P-1, P-2, P-3) with total hydraulic retention time varying from 21 h to 14 h. The results showed that high sulfate levels (>300 mg SO4(2-)/L) impaired the dye reduction. The best color removal efficiencies of 30% and 96% for the UASB and the reactor system, respectively, were obtained in P-1; the SAB higher efficiency was associated with adsorption. The best COD removal efficiency of 71% for the reactor system was obtained in P-2. Precipitation of some material composed mostly of sulfur (98%) and some metals occurred in the UASB. However, the precipitated sulfur was again oxidized in the SAB. The system also showed an effective toxicity reduction in tests (Daphnia magna) with the treated effluent.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Leaching
Acid Mine Drainage
Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
Factors Affecting Solubility
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene

