SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS BIOLOGICALLY MEDIATED REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM CONTAMINATED WATER

摘要

A system and method for simultaneous biologically mediated removal of contaminants (including at least arsenic or nitrate) from water are disclosed herein. The system includes i) a bioreactor having a length suitable for housing at least three different microbial populations, or ii) two bioreactors coupled together, the two bioreactors each having a length and an empty bed contact time that together are suitable for housing at least three different microbial populations. The system also includes a biofilm attachment medium positioned in i) the bioreactor, or ii) the two bioreactors; and the at least three different microbial populations formed on the biofilm attachment medium. The microbial populations are selected from oxygen reducing microbes, nitrate reducing microbes, arsenate reducing microbes, sulfate reducing microbes, and uranium reducing microbes.