Laboratory batch and sequencing-batch reactors and closed respirometry techniques were used to study the response of activated sludge to non-ionic synthetic surfactants. Two laboratory-grade and three commercial surfactant mixtures used in the textile industry (alkyl- and alkylphenol-ethoxylate types) were tested. Respirometric profiles during degradation experiments were complemented with titrimetric surfactant measurements and TOC determinations, representing primary and ultimate biodegradation, respectively. Though non-acclimatized sludge was apparently not inhibited by the surfactant products, total degradation took at least 20 hours with S0/X0 values in the 0.24–0.86 range. Respiration rate profiles (respirograms) showed several peaks, suggesting stepwise primary-ultimate degradation of the surfactant molecules. Acclimatization shortened degradation times and produced repirograms with a single peak. Biomass adaptation, response to load increases and memory loss was faster for primary than for ultimate degradation. Alkyl ethoxylate-adapted biomass was apparently more capable of adaptation to alkylphenol ethoxylate than the inverse.
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Research Article|
September 01 2000
Studies on activated sludge response to variations in the composition of a synthetic surfactant-containing feed effluent
G. Carvalho;
G. Carvalho
*Centro de Engenharia Biológica e Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1000 Lisboa Codex, Portugal
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E. Paul;
E. Paul
**INSA Toulouse, LIPE, Unité de Recherche Procédés Biologiques, Complexe Scientifique de Rangueil, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
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J.M. Novais;
J.M. Novais
*Centro de Engenharia Biológica e Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1000 Lisboa Codex, Portugal
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H.M. Pinheiro
H.M. Pinheiro
*Centro de Engenharia Biológica e Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1000 Lisboa Codex, Portugal
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Water Sci Technol (2000) 42 (5-6): 135–143.
Citation
G. Carvalho, E. Paul, J.M. Novais, H.M. Pinheiro; Studies on activated sludge response to variations in the composition of a synthetic surfactant-containing feed effluent. Water Sci Technol 1 September 2000; 42 (5-6): 135–143. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2000.0507
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