Biochar efficiently removes recalcitrant pharmaceuticals from wastewater

Abstract

This study investigated the potential of biochar as a filter medium for removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and wastewater macro-pollutants in on-site wastewater treatment systems. Removal of carbamazepine among other selected PhACs was investigated over 22 weeks experiment in four treatments: biochar (BC) with active and inactive biofilm (BC-active-biofilm, BC-inactive-biofilm), biochar without biofilm for adsorption only (BC-no-biofilm) and sand with active biofilm (Sand-active-biofilm). Carbamazepine removal in BC-no-biofilm (98%) was high due to adsorption, while nonexistent removal was observed in Sand-active-biofilm, revealing low biodegradability of carbamazepine. Removal of carbamazepine in BC-active-biofilm was stable (>98%), while it declined with time in BC-inactive-biofilm. In conclusion, biochar is a promising filter material supporting active biofilm and adsorption for the removal of PhACs in on-site wastewater treatment systems.

Published in

Title: S2SMALL2017 International IWA conference on sustainable solutions for small water and wastewater treatment systems - Book of proceedings

Conference

S2SMALL2017 International IWA conference on sustainable solutions for small water and wastewater treatment systems

SLU Authors

• Dalahmeh, Sahar

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ahrens, Lutz

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gros Calvo, Meritxell

  • Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA)

• Wiberg, Karin

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Pell, Mikael

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Environmental Biotechnology

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/89241