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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
Atrazine Removal from Municipal Wastewater Using a Membrane Bioreactor
Mohanad Kamaz1,2, Steven M Jones3, Xianghong Qian4
1Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
Summary
Direct potable reuse of wastewater is explored for safe drinking water. Atrazine herbicide removal was studied, with biodegradation occurring in aerobic sludge containing specific bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Increasing demand for potable water necessitates exploring direct potable reuse of wastewater.
- Emerging contaminants, such as herbicides, pose risks in reused drinking water.
- Effective removal strategies are crucial for safe wastewater reuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the removal of atrazine, a common herbicide, from wastewater.
- To identify mechanisms of atrazine removal, including adsorption and biodegradation.
- To assess the potential of specific microbial communities for atrazine degradation.
Main Methods:
- Wastewater and sludge samples were collected from two US treatment facilities.
- Atrazine removal was quantified using adsorption and biodegradation assays.
- Next-generation sequencing was employed to analyze microbial communities in activated sludge.
Main Results:
- Approximately 20% of atrazine was removed via adsorption onto particulate matter.
- Significant atrazine biodegradation was observed only in aerobic sludge from Norman, Oklahoma.
- Aerobic sludge from Norman showed an abundance of bacteria with known atrazine degradation pathways.
Conclusions:
- Adsorption plays a role in atrazine removal, but biodegradation is key for significant reduction.
- Specific aerobic microbial communities, particularly *Noncardiac*, are responsible for atrazine biodegradation.
- Detecting these bacteria can predict a facility's capacity for atrazine removal.
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