EFFECT OF SALINITY AND THE PRESENCE OF PHARMACEUTICAL ACTIVE COMPOUND ON A LABORATORY SCALE BIOLOGICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT REACTOR
1William-Ebi, D. 2Saroj, D.P. and 3Jones, C.
Niger Delta University, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Wilberforce Island. Bayelsa State
Department of Water Engineering, University of Surrey, Surrey. United Kingdom
Department of Water Engineering, University of Surrey, Surrey. United Kingdom
Email: rhodagumus@yahoo.com
Abstract: The effects of salinity and the presence of Pharmaceutical active Compounds (PhaCs) on the biological treatment efficiency of a lab scale bioreactor with aeration were investigated. The combined effect of salinity and Presence of a pharmaceutical compound Naproxen on the nitrification process was investigated. Naproxen was observed to cause significant inhibition of the ammonia oxidation process with a consequent decrease in nitrification activity and efficiency. An initial Nitrification rate of 4.5mg NH4-N L-1 h-1was estimated. Decreased Nitrification rates were observed with the introduction of naproxen into the reactor system. Decrease in Nitrification rates from 4.5 mg NH4-N/l-h to 2.5mg NH4-N/l-h at 1ml, 0.5mg NH4-N/l-h at 5ml and 0.5 mg NH4-N/l-h at 100ml naproxen solution respectively.Though inhibition was pronounced the system was observed to have recovered and oxidixed ammonia to nitrates.
Keywords: Salinity, PhACs, Naproxen, Bioreactor, Aeration,Nitrification, Denitrification