Simultaneous removal of nitrate and pesticides from groundwater using a methane-fed membrane biofilm reactor. 2008

O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. oskar@env.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Nitrate and pesticide contaminated ground- and surface-waters have been found around the world as a result of the use of these compounds in agricultural activities. In this study we investigated a biological treatment method to simultaneously remove nitrate and pesticides from contaminated water. Methane was supplied as the sole source of carbon to the microbial culture. A methane-fed membrane biofilm reactor (M-MBfR) was developed in which the methane was supplied through hollow-fiber membranes to a biofilm growing on the membrane surface. A methane-oxidizing culture enriched from activated sludge was used as inoculum for the experiments. Removal of nitrate and the four pesticides atrazine, aldicarb, alachlor, and malathion was examined both in suspended culture and in the M-MBfR. The maximum denitrification rate with suspended culture was 36.8 mg N gVSS(-1) d(-1). With the M-MBfR setup, a hydraulic retention time of approximately one hour was required to completely remove an incoming nitrate concentration of about 20 mg NO3-N l(-1). The microbial culture could remove three of the pesticides (aldicarb, alachlor, and malathion). However, no atrazine removal was observed. The removal rates of both nitrate and pesticides were similar in suspended culture and in membrane-attached biofilm.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008567 Membranes, Artificial Artificially produced membranes, such as semipermeable membranes used in artificial kidney dialysis (RENAL DIALYSIS), monomolecular and bimolecular membranes used as models to simulate biological CELL MEMBRANES. These membranes are also used in the process of GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION. Artificial Membranes,Artificial Membrane,Membrane, Artificial
D008697 Methane The simplest saturated hydrocarbon. It is a colorless, flammable gas, slightly soluble in water. It is one of the chief constituents of natural gas and is formed in the decomposition of organic matter. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)
D009566 Nitrates Inorganic or organic salts and esters of nitric acid. These compounds contain the NO3- radical. Nitrate
D010575 Pesticides Chemicals used to destroy pests of any sort. The concept includes fungicides (FUNGICIDES, INDUSTRIAL); INSECTICIDES; RODENTICIDES; etc. Pesticide
D005618 Fresh Water Water containing no significant amounts of salts, such as water from RIVERS and LAKES. Freshwater,Fresh Waters,Freshwaters,Water, Fresh,Waters, Fresh
D014872 Water Movements The flow of water in enviromental bodies of water such as rivers, oceans, water supplies, aquariums, etc. It includes currents, tides, and waves. Movement, Water,Movements, Water,Water Movement
D018441 Biofilms Encrustations formed from microbes (bacteria, algae, fungi, plankton, or protozoa) embedded in an EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCE MATRIX that is secreted by the microbes. They occur on body surfaces such as teeth (DENTAL DEPOSITS); inanimate objects, and bodies of water. Biofilms are prevented from forming by treating surfaces with DENTIFRICES; DISINFECTANTS; ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS; and anti-fouling agents. Biofilm
D018508 Water Purification Any of several processes in which undesirable impurities in water are removed or neutralized; for example, chlorination, filtration, primary treatment, ion exchange, and distillation. It includes treatment of WASTEWATER to provide potable and hygienic water in a controlled or closed environment as well as provision of public drinking water supplies. Waste Water Purification,Waste Water Treatment,Wastewater Purification,Wastewater Treatment,Water Treatment,Purification, Waste Water,Purification, Wastewater,Purification, Water,Treatment, Waste Water,Treatment, Wastewater,Treatment, Water,Waste Water Purifications,Waste Water Treatments,Water Purification, Waste
D019149 Bioreactors Tools or devices for generating products using the synthetic or chemical conversion capacity of a biological system. They can be classical fermentors, cell culture perfusion systems, or enzyme bioreactors. For production of proteins or enzymes, recombinant microorganisms such as bacteria, mammalian cells, or insect or plant cells are usually chosen. Fermentors,Bioreactor,Fermentor

Related Publications

O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
April 2018, Water research,
O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
August 1997, Applied microbiology and biotechnology,
O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
January 2010, Journal of environmental sciences (China),
O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
May 2017, Bioresource technology,
O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
April 2013, Environmental science and pollution research international,
O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
January 2013, Journal of environmental sciences (China),
O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
December 2016, Environmental science and pollution research international,
O Modin, and K Fukushi, and K Yamamoto
January 2014, Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!