Removal of micropollutants by UASB reactor and post-treatment by Fenton and photo-Fenton: Matrix effect and toxicity responses

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 212; no. Pt C; p. 113396
• Main Authors: Rodrigues-Silva, Fernando, Masceno, Gabriella Paini, Panicio, Paloma Pucholobek, Imoski, Rafaela, Prola, Liziê Daniela Tentler, Vidal, Carla Bastos, Xavier, Claudia Regina, Ramsdorf, Wanessa Algarte, Passig, Fernando Hermes, Liz, Marcus Vinicius de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.09.2022
• Subjects: AOP; Daphnia magna; Ecotoxicity; Emerging contaminants; Lactuca sativa; Wastewater; AOP; Wastewater; Lactuca sativa; Ecotoxicity; Emerging contaminants; Daphnia magna
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113396

Literature is scarce on the performance of Fenton-based processes as post-treatment of municipal wastewater treated by upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. This study aims to perform Fenton and photo-Fenton from UASB influent and effluent matrices to remove micropollutants (MPs) models: atrazine (ATZ), rifampicin (RIF), and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2). A UASB reactor at bench-scale (14 L) was operated with these MPs, and the AOPs experiments at bench-scale were performed on a conventional photochemical reactor (1 L). A high-pressure vapor mercury lamp was used for photo-Fenton process (UVA-Vis) as a radiation source. Microcrustacean Daphnia magna (acute toxicity) and seeds of Lactuca sativa (phytotoxicity) were indicator organisms for toxicity monitoring. The UASB reactor showed stability removing 90% of the mean chemical oxygen demand, and removal efficiencies for ATZ, RIF, and EE2 were 16.5%, 45.9%, and 15.7%, respectively. A matrix effect was noted regarding the application of both Fenton and photo-Fenton in UASB influent and effluent to remove MPs and toxicity responses. The pesticide ATZ was the most recalcitrant compound, yet the processes carried out from UASB effluent achieved removal >99.99%. The post-treatment of the UASB reactor by photo-Fenton removed acute toxicity in D. magna for all treatment times. However, only the photo-Fenton conducted for 90 min did not result in a phytotoxic effect in L. sativa. [Display omitted] •UASB system achieved significant removal of the antibiotic rifampicin.•Matrix effect to UASB influent and effluent for the application of AOPs.•Fenton and photo-Fenton processes are effective on UASB effluent.•Photo-Fenton as post-treatent of UASB removed completely the MPs and toxicity.•AOPs on UASB effluents from municipal wastewater must be investigated.