Biodegradation and Carbon Adsorption Carcinogenic and Hazardous Organic Compounds

摘要

This research program was conducted to determine the capability of biological treatment and activated carbon adsorption to remove chemical carcinogens and other hazardous organic compounds from water and wastewater. Compounds studied were benzidine, 4-nitrobiphenyl, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, 2-acetyl-aminofluorene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, 4-aminobiphenyl, 3,4-benzofluoranthene, and 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene. All of the compounds tested exhibited some degree of biological degration. Carbon adsorption was also effective in removing the compounds from aqueous solution. Large polynuclear aromatic compounds exhibited reduced adsorption capacities due to exclusion from the small diameter pores of the carbon.