Avaliação de sistemas de pós-tratamento de lixiviados por processos biológicos e oxidativos avançados e o desenvolvimento analítico para detecção e quantificação de compostos recalcitrantes

Abstract

This work assessed the feasibility of using biological and advanced oxidation processes (AOP) as post-treatments for old leachate from stabilization ponds in series. Additionally, an analytical methodology for detection and quantification of aromatic compounds, organochlorides, phthalate esters and hormones, was developed. These compounds are considered as recalcitrant and rarely investigated in treated leachates, mainly in wastewater treatment plants located in the state of Ceará. Initially, a physico-chemical characterization and a metal speciation was carried out, from which it was verified that COD and ammonia were above the limits permitted by environmental legislation, and also some metals. In the development of the analytical methodology for detection and quantification by GC/FID, the solid phase extraction using C-18 was the best technique for extraction and pre-concentration of the recalcitrant compounds and the best results in terms of recuperation were achieved for the aromatic compounds and phthalate esters. In the post-treatment experiments using biological reactors, aerated submerged reactor (ASR) and sequential batch reactor (SBR), both were efficient in the leachate nitrification reaching ammonia removal efficiencies above 90%. However, they were not efficient on phosphorus removal. In terms of recalcitrant compounds removal, SBR presented better results when compared with ASR for the aromatic compounds and phthalate esters. The advanced oxidation process UV/H2O2 reached turbidity and COD removal and decolourisation efficiencies above 90% from a reaction time of 120 minutes by using recirculation batch mode. The UV/H2O2 system was efficient in the removal of aromatic compounds and the phthalate esters benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), achieving 100% removal. The photo-Fenton process with solar radiation assessed with the leachate from Portugal showed to be an excellent option for the leachate post-treatment when compared to the other systems studied (UV/H2O2 and TiO2/UV). Mineralization of organic compounds has reached approximately 80% reduction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), beside aromaticity and decolourisation reductions and increasing leachate biodegradability. The optimal iron concentration for the leachate studied was 60 mg L-1 Fe+2, with H2O2 consumption of 310.6 mM and approximately 110 kJ L-1 of accumulated energy. However, it was not efficient in the removal the ester DEHP, one of most important phthalates, which is considered an endocrine disruptor. The UV/H2O2 and TiO2/UV processes using solar energy were slower than the photo-Fenton process and low COD removals were achieved, which indicated low mineralization of the organic compounds present in the leachate.