The removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the wastewater treatment process: Experimental calculations and model predictions

The removal of PAHs during the wastewater treatment process was examined in an activated sludge mode conventional facility. Concentrations reported are taken from an earlier measuring campaign. Removals of PAHs ranged between 28 and 67% in the primary, <1–61% in the secondary stage, and 37–89% in the whole process. Significant positive relationships were observed for removal efficiencies and the log Kow of PAHs in the primary and the log KH of PAHs in the secondary stage. Experimental removals were compared to those obtained from the FATE model. In the primary stage, predicted removals were lower than those experimentally calculated while in the secondary stage were higher. Predicted removals were apportioned mainly to sorption with negligible contribution from volatilization and biodegradation. Remarkable consistency between experimental and modeled removal efficiencies (−20–+20%) was observed for almost all PAHs in the whole treatment process.