Phenolic removal processes in biological sand filters, sand columns and microcosms

▸ At low influent concentrations, phenolics in winery wastewater and model synthetic wastewater were completely removed by a combination of biotic and abiotic influences in biological sand filters. ▸ High influent concentrations of model phenolics resulted in accumulation of metabolites in biological sand filters. Increased hydraulic conductivity strongly suggested a concomitant loss of biomass/biofilm due to accumulation of toxic concentrations of catechol. ▸ Acclimation of microbial populations to vanillin and gallic acid resulted in enhanced biodegradation of these phenolics when compared to a non-acclimated population.