Optimizing Removal of Estrogenic Compounds in Biosolids: A Comparison of Anaerobic, Post-aerobic, and Cambi Digestion Processes

Authors

Patrick J. McNamara, Marquette UniversityFollow
M. T. Wogen, University of Minnesota
C. A. Wilson, Greeley and Hanson, Richmond VA
J. T. Novak, Virginia Tech
S. N. Murthy, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
Paige J. Novak, University of Minnesota

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Language

eng

Format of Original

6 p.

Publication Date

2009

Publisher

Water Environment Federation

Source Publication

Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Source ISSN

1938-6478

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion is a key treatment step during wastewater treatment because it is often the final significant solids treatment process prior to land application. Land application of biosolids is a vital practice for sustainable waste management; therefore, the presence of estrogenic compounds in biosolids is one concern to this practice. Three digestion processes were studied to determine the optimal method for removing these estrogenic micropollutants: mesophilic anaerobic digestion (MAD), MAD with a post-aerobic digestion phase, and thermal hydrolysis pretreatment followed by MAD. Specific estrogenic compounds were quantified via liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and total estrogenicity was quantified using the yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay. MAD followed by post-aerobic digestion resulted in a significant reduction in estrogenicity.

Comments

Published as part of the proceedings of the conference, Water Environment Federation, 2009: 3944-3949. Publisher link.

Recommended Citation

McNamara, Patrick J.; Wogen, M. T.; Wilson, C. A.; Novak, J. T.; Murthy, S. N.; and Novak, Paige J., "Optimizing Removal of Estrogenic Compounds in Biosolids: A Comparison of Anaerobic, Post-aerobic, and Cambi Digestion Processes" (2009). Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 26.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/civengin_fac/26