Abstract:

Investigated herein was the biodegradation of highly contaminated textile wastewater on a laboratory scale, with biological aerobic filters as a single treatment and in combination with the coagulation/flocculation process. Among the three support materials tested (Intalox saddles, ceramsite and beach shavings), the highest organic carbon compound removals (above 60% measured as COD and TOC) and steady operation were obtained for ceramsite. Effective and stable biological treatment was possible thanks to the development of biofilm of high bacterial and fungal diversity. The biodiversity of microflora was estimated on the basis of metagenomic analysis. The coagulation process with PAX 18 was effective in total phosphorus depletion (94%), while the coagulant Epoly CRD enabled up to 99% colour removal. The best results were obtained after the combined treatment, in which biodegradation was followed by coagulation (PAX 18). Such a combination enabled the removal of 98% of BOD5, 87% of COD, 88% of TOC, 48% of the total nitrogen, 98% of the total phosphorus, 98% of toxicity (towards Vibrio fisheri) and above 81% of colour.