Assessment of the performance of aerated oxidation ponds in the removal of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): A case study

Fate and removal of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) were assessed in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of 10th of Ramadan industrial city in Egypt. The treatment plant receives mixture of both industrial and domestic wastewaters. Industrial wastewater contributes about 50-70% of wastewater influent. Concentrations of PAHs in raw wastewater sample fluctuated from a minimum value of 54.14 µg/l to a maximum value of 6813.6 µg/l, with an average value of 2800.44 µg/l. Average value of PCBs concentration was 26.69 µg/l. Average residual concentration of PAHs after primary sedimentation reached 671.73 µg/l, with a removal value of 77.64%. The corresponding average residual concentration of PCBs was 17.52 µg/l, with a maximum removal value of 53.29%. The overall removal value of PAHs ranged from 64.77% to 97.75%, with residual concentrations ranged from a minimum value of 17.66 µg/l to maximum concentrations reached 677.47 µg/l. PCBs removal value was 73.73%, with a residual concentration of 8.17 µg/l.