Fate of selected estrogens in two laboratory scale sequencing batch reactors fed with different organic carbon sources under varying solids retention times

► The manuscript reports that the fate of estrogens is different in bioreactors running under different organic carbon. ► The effect of desorption should also be considered when evaluating the overall fate of estrogens in bioreactors. ► The overall removal of estrogens is enhanced at higher solid retention times. ► Complex carbon substrate supports a diversify bacterial community leading to better overall removal of estrogens.