The organic loading rate affects organic micropollutants’ cometabolic biotransformation kinetics under heterotrophic conditions in activated sludge

Several studies have shown that organic micropollutants (OMPs) are biotransformed cometabolically in activated sludge systems. However, the individual role of heterotrophs microbial consortium is still not clear, i.e., there a gap regarding influence heterotrophic activity on cometabolic biotransformation kinetics and yield OMPs. Aiming to answer these questions, experiments with increasing primary substrate concentrations were performed under aerobic conditions continuous stirred tank reactor operated at several loading rates (OLR) fixed hydraulic retention time. Moreover, kinetic parameters determined batch assays different initial using sludges from reactor. A set 15 OMPs displaying variety physicochemical properties spiked feeding ng L?1 - µg range. Results reveal biodegradation carbon source occur simultaneously, clear evidence behavior. we conclude constant (kbiol) shows linear dependence OLR for most compounds studied, suggesting seriously affects kinetics. typical systems operating (hydraulic times above 8 h), their would be significantly affected.