Pharmaceutical Fate Under Varying Redox Biological Treatment Environments

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if low dissolved oxygen (DO) treatment environments are also effective in transforming trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals in wastewater relative to environments created by fully aerobic or anoxic/aerobic treatment, and to understand the comparative energy demand and environmental impacts associated with these systems using established life cycle impact assessments. The research provides further understanding of the role that microaerobic metabolism plays on defining the fate of trace organic compounds (TOrCs), and provides insights into how decisions made in the interest of sustainability may help or hinder TOrC removal. Published by WERF. 64 pages. Online PDF. (2013)

Originally funded as WERF project U1R09.