Examining the biodegradation of endocrine disrupting bisphenol A and nonylphenol in WWTPs

The aim of this work was to examine biodegradation of the endocrine disrupting chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) in activated sludge. Experiments were performed in a pilot wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Copenhagen, Denmark. During standard operation the BPA concentration was halved whereas the NP concentration was unchanged. Step-addition experiments showed that biomass adaptation to increased BPA and NP concentrations took 10 to more than 40 days depending on temperature, hydraulic retention time, and pre-exposure of the biomass. Mass-balance experiments showed that above 99% of the dosed BPA and 90% of the dosed NP is removed by biodegradation at steady-state. Batch experiments showed that BPA biodegradation occur solely under aerobic conditions. The work is believed to add vital knowledge to our understanding of parameters and processes governing biodegradation of EDCs in WWTPs.