Comparative studies of aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of methylparaben and propylparaben in activated sludge
Journal
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Journal Volume
138
Pages
25-31
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Abstract
The biodegradability of two typical parabens (methylparaben and propylparaben) in activated sludge, at initial concentrations of 1 mg L−1 or 10 mg L−1, was investigated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The results showed that microorganisms played a key role in degradation of parabens in WWTPs, especially in aerobic systems. The half-lives of methylparaben and propylparaben under aerobic conditions have been estimated to range between 15.8 and 19.8 min, and benzoic acid was found to be one of the major biodegradation products. The calculated biodegradation efficiency of methylparaben and propylparaben in activated sludge under aerobic conditions was significantly higher than that observed under anaerobic (nitrate, sulfate, and Fe (III) reducing) conditions, as methylparaben and propylparaben exhibited comparatively higher persistence in anaerobic systems, with half-lives ≥43.3 h and ≥8.6 h, respectively. Overall, the results of this study imply that the majority of these parabens can be eliminated by aerobic biodegradation during conventional wastewater treatment processes, whereas minor removal is possible in anaerobic systems if an insufficient hydraulic retention time was maintained. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
Subjects
Activated Sludge; Benzoic acid; Biodegradation; Methylparaben; Propylparaben
SDGs
Other Subjects
benzoic acid; ferric ion; methyl paraben; nitrate; propyl paraben; sulfate; 4 hydroxybenzoic acid ester; methyl paraben; propyl paraben; sewage; water pollutant; activated sludge; anoxic conditions; biodegradation; comparative study; oxic conditions; paraben; wastewater treatment; activated sludge; aerobic bacterium; anaerobic bacterium; Article; biodegradation; chemical structure; China; comparative study; concentration (parameters); controlled study; nonhuman; retention time; waste component removal; aerobic metabolism; anaerobic growth; bioremediation; biotransformation; chemistry; oxidation reduction reaction; sewage; water pollutant; Aerobiosis; Anaerobiosis; Benzoic Acid; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biotransformation; Oxidation-Reduction; Parabens; Sewage; Sulfates; Water Pollutants, Chemical
Type
journal article