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Redox-dependent removal of 27 organic trace pollutants: compilation of results from tank aeration experiments

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Abstract

The biodegradation of various wastewater-derived organic trace pollutants occurring in different aquatic compartments of the environment was previously reported to be influenced by the prevailing redox conditions. However, comparative studies on the redox-dependent degradation behavior of organic trace pollutants are scarce. The objective of the study presented herein, was to compile and evaluate data from several comparable previous tank experiments, thus, providing an overview on the redox-dependent removal of a total of 27 wastewater-derived trace compounds, including phenazone type compounds, antimicrobials, ß-blockers, psychoactive drugs and sulfonamides. Removal rate constants were fitted assuming first-order degradation kinetics. Six compounds were identified to be removed solely under oxic, three compounds solely under anoxic conditions. Others persisted under all experimental conditions, while some were removed under both oxic and anoxic conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) within the project MA 3274/5-1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Working Group Hydrogeology and Landscape Hydrology, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany

    Victoria Burke, Janek Greskowiak & Gudrun Massmann

  2. Department of Water Quality, DVGW Technologiezentrum Wasser, 76139, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Doreen Richter

  3. Department of Laboratories, Berliner Wasserbetriebe, 10864, Berlin, Germany

    Ulrike Hass

  4. Institute of Geological Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin, Malteserstr. 74-100, 12249, Berlin, Germany

    Ulrike Hass & Uwe Duennbier

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  1. Victoria Burke
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  2. Doreen Richter
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  3. Ulrike Hass
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  4. Uwe Duennbier
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  5. Janek Greskowiak
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Correspondence to Victoria Burke.

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Burke, V., Richter, D., Hass, U. et al. Redox-dependent removal of 27 organic trace pollutants: compilation of results from tank aeration experiments. Environ Earth Sci 71, 3685–3695 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2762-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2762-8

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