Biotreatment of Hazardous Leachate

Some toxic organic compounds can be biodegraded aerobically whereas some other organic compounds are biodegraded more efficiently when other electron acceptors such as nitrate, sulfate or CO₂ are used. The premise of this research was to study the applicability of combined anaerobic-aerobic treatment of hazardous leachate. Anaerobic toxicity assay (ATA) was performed for selected organic compounds such as nitrophenols and pentachlorophenol which are generally present in a hazardous leachate. Upflow anaerobic columns followed by conventional activated sludge processes were used to simulate on-site anaerobic pretreatment at POTWs. The results indicate such anaerobic-aerobic processes are feasible for treatment of hazardous leachates.