Title: Fixed biomass process and its resistance to elevated copper loads during carbon removal and nitrification of industrial wastewater

Authors: Antonella Fioravanti, Jacqueline Pasanau, Jens Meinhold

Addresses: Veolia Eau, Immeuble Giovanni Battista B, 1 rue Giovanni Battista Pirelli, 94410 Saint Maurice, France. ' CRE – Veolia Evironnment, Anjou Recherche, chemin de la digue, 78603 Maisons Laffitte, France. ' CRE – Veolia Evironnment, Anjou Recherche, chemin de la digue, 78603 Maisons Laffitte, France

Abstract: Metal compounds such as copper are known to be inhibitory or toxic to biological activity within wastewater treatments when reaching a certain threshold concentration. Little information on threshold values can be found for biofilm process like Biological Aerated Filters (BAFs). In this study, a BAF pilot plant (Biostyr^®) for carbon removal and nitrification was operated to study its response to copper concentration variations. Biological activity was maintained at copper concentration higher than the stated thresholds for heterotrophic and autotrophic biomass in activated sludge systems. Carbon removal was not affected at copper concentrations around 20 mg/l. Autotrophic biomass growth was inhibited at a concentration above 2.5 mg Cu/l.

Keywords: BAFs; biological aerated filters; carbon removal; nitrification; toxicity; copper; fixed biomass; industrial wastewater; wastewater treatment; threshold values; biofilm processes; autotrophic biomass; heterotrophic biomass; activated sludge.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2009.031832

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.6 No.2/3/4, pp.93 - 103

Published online: 25 Feb 2010 *

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