Removal of ametryn and organic matter from wastewater using sequential anaerobic-aerobic batch reactor: A performance evaluation study

Abstract

The present study was aimed to investigate biodegradation of 2-(ethylamino)-4-(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine (ametryn) in a laboratory-scale anaerobic sequential batch reactor (ASBR) and followed by aerobic post-treatment. Co-treatment of ametryn with starch is carried out at ambient environmental conditions. The treatment process lasted up to 150 days of operation at a constant hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h and an organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.21-0.215 kg-COD/m³/d. Ametryn concentration of 4 and 6 mg/L was removed completely within 48-50 days of operation with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies >85% at optimum reactor conditions. Ametryn acted as a nutrient/carbon source rather causing toxicity and contributed to methane gas production and sludge granulation in the anaerobic reactor. Biotransformation products of ametryn to cyanuric acid, biuret, and their further conversion to ammonia nitrogen and CO₂ are monitored during the study. Adsorption of ametryn on to reactor sludge was negligible, sludge granulation, presence of ANAMMOX bacteria, and low MLVSS/MLSS ratio between 0.68 and 0.72. The study revealed that ametryn removal occurred mainly due to biodegradation and co-metabolism processes. Aerobic post-treatment of anaerobic effluent was able to remove COD up to 95%. The results of this study exhibit that anaerobic-aerobic treatment is feasible due to easy operation, economic, and highly efficient.

Keywords: ANAMMOX; Ametryn; Anaerobic-aerobic treatment; Biodegradation; Biotransformation; Co-metabolism.