In the frame of the European FP6 project Neptune, a combination of biological activated carbon with ultrafiltration (BioMAC) was investigated for micropollutant, pathogen and ecotoxicity removal. One pilot scale set-up and two lab-scale set-ups, of which in one set-up the granular activated carbon (GAC) was replaced by sand, were followed up during a period of 11 months. It was found that a combination of GAC and ultrafiltration led to an almost complete removal of antibiotics and a high removal (>80%) of most of the investigated acidic pharmaceuticals and iodinated contrast media. The duration of the tests did however not allow to conclude that the biological activation was able to extend the lifetime of the GAC. Furthermore, a significant decrease in estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity could be illustrated. The set-up in which GAC was replaced by sand showed a considerably lower removal efficiency for micropollutants, especially for antibiotics but no influence on steroid activity.
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Research Article|
January 01 2011
Removal of micropollutants in WWTP effluent by biological assisted membrane carbon filtration (BioMAC)
M. Weemaes;
1Aquafin nv, Dijkstraat 8, 2630 Aartselaar, Belgium
E-mail: [email protected]
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G. Fink;
G. Fink
2Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
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C. Lachmund;
C. Lachmund
2Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
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A. Magdeburg;
A. Magdeburg
3Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Biological Sciences Division Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Siesmayerstrasse 70, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany
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D. Stalter;
D. Stalter
3Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Biological Sciences Division Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Siesmayerstrasse 70, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany
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C. Thoeye;
C. Thoeye
1Aquafin nv, Dijkstraat 8, 2630 Aartselaar, Belgium
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G. De Gueldre;
G. De Gueldre
1Aquafin nv, Dijkstraat 8, 2630 Aartselaar, Belgium
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B. Van De Steene
B. Van De Steene
1Aquafin nv, Dijkstraat 8, 2630 Aartselaar, Belgium
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Water Sci Technol (2011) 63 (1): 72–79.
Citation
M. Weemaes, G. Fink, C. Lachmund, A. Magdeburg, D. Stalter, C. Thoeye, G. De Gueldre, B. Van De Steene; Removal of micropollutants in WWTP effluent by biological assisted membrane carbon filtration (BioMAC). Water Sci Technol 1 January 2011; 63 (1): 72–79. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2011.011
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