The use of UV/H2O2 to facilitate removal of emerging contaminants in anaerobic membrane bioreactor effluents

Effluent from anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) contains ammonia and would require post-polishing treatment before it can be disinfected by chlorine. However, additional post-treatment steps to remove nutrients offset the energetic benefits derived fermentation. The use of chlorine or ozone also promotes concerns associated with disinfection byproducts. This study evaluates UV/H2O2 as a potential strategy suited for removal pharmaceutical compounds well antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) resistance genes (ARGs) AnMBR effluent. Our findings indicate that 10 mg/L H2O2 61.5 mJ/cm2 UV fluence are able achieve 4-log both Escherichia coli PI7 Klebsiella pneumoniae L7. higher 311 same amount required >90% atenolol, carbamazepine estrone. was driven hydroxyl radicals generated H2O2, while exposure governed inactivation ARB ARGs. increased overall mutagenicity treated wastewater matrix but did not result in any changes natural transformation rates. Instead, significantly reduced rates means DNA damage. Overall, could ideal final effluent without requiring prior disinfection.