Experimental study of behavior of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in leachate treatment process and evaluation of removal efficiency

An experimental study of the behavior of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in leachate treatment processes (aeration, coagulation and sedimentation, activated carbon adsorption, and advanced oxidation) was conducted and removal efficiencies were evaluated. Among target EDCs, concentrations of BPA (1800 times), DBP (10 times), BBP (40 times), and DEHP (30 times) in leachate are more than ten times higher than those in surface water. BPA, DBP, and BBP can be treated by aeration and DEHP, by advanced oxidation processes. BPA could not be effectively removed by coagulation and sedimentation because most of BPA partitioned in the supernatant. DEHP could hardly be treated by aeration. The removal ratios of DEHP were approximately 50–70% if the generated sediment was removed completely. The removal ratios of DEHP in leachate of 100 m3/d with 100 kg of activated carbon were 50–70%, assuming a complete mixing model. The concentration of DEHP was decreased to below one-tenth in 120 min by advanced oxidation processes.