Fate of tetracycline in enhanced biological nutrient removal process

• Main Authors: Liu, Hang, Yang, Yongkui, Sun, Huifang, Zhao, Lin, Liu, Yu
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Civil engineering; Tetracycline; Enhanced Biological Nutrient Removal
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/139915
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study investigated the fate of tetracycline at four different concentrations of 20 μg L-1, 50 μg L-1, 2 and 5 mg L-1 in the enhanced biological nutrient removal processes. At the tetracycline concentration below 50 μg L-1, no obvious inhibition on the biological N&P removal was observed, while the inhibition appeared after the tetracycline concentration was increased to 2 and 5 mg L-1. It was found that about 44%-87% of tetracycline was removed through biodegradation, while only 3%-6% of removal was due to biosorption. These results clearly suggested that a substantial amount of tetracycline eventually ended up in sludge with the tetracycline content of 23 mg to 4.5 g kg-1 sludge depending on the tetracycline concentration. Obviously, this could pose an emerging challenge to the post sludge disposal and reuse. Furthermore, phthalic anhydride was detected as a biodegradation byproduct of tetracycline, which has been known to be more toxic than tetracycline to aquatic organisms. Consequently, this study offers in-depth insights into the fate of tetracycline in the enhanced biological nutrient removal process, highlighting on the emerging ecological risks associated with sludge disposal and effluent discharge.