AWWA ACE63053

Hormones and antibiotics have been found to be prevalent in wastewaters and surfacewaters at low concentrations. In this study, nanofiltration (NF) and ultrafiltration (UF) are twoselected emerging technologies that may remove low levels of these compounds given varyingwater quality parameters such as pH and presence of natural organic matter (NOM). The naturalhormone 17ß-estradiol (E2) showed high levels of rejection (>75%) using NF membranes butsignificant levels of adsorption were observed at the initial stages of operation. Subsequent cleanwater addition indicated that adsorbed E2 could easily desorb, causing the membrane to act bothas a sink and source. UF rejection of E2 was low but again showed significant levels ofadsorption. Rejection of E2 was also enhanced by fouling of the membrane by natural organicmatter (NOM), operation at higher permeate flux, and higher pH conditions. Preliminaryexperimental results regarding antibiotic removal indicate that NF rejection is highly pHdependent. Levels of adsorption, however, were found to vary widely on the specific antibiotic,membrane tightness, and the selected pH. Includes 10 references, table, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

06/01/2006

Number of Pages:

9

File Size:

1 file , 260 KB