Coupling granular activated carbon adsorption with membrane bioreactor treatment for trace organic contaminant removal: Breakthrough behaviour of persistent and hydrophilic compounds

► GAC post-treatment initially resulted in >98% removal of all 22 trace organics. ► Hydrophilic compounds with electron-withdrawing groups showed faster breakthrough. ► Breakthrough profiles were markedly different between neutral and charged compounds. ► Adsorption isotherms can differentiate the behaviour b/w neutral & charged organics.