Wastewater Treatment : Occurrence and Fate of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of semi-volatile organic compounds that are formed during the incomplete burning of gas, coal, oil, wood, garbage, or other organic substances. PAHs are a concern because a number of them have been identified as genotoxic and/or carcinogenic. They pose a threat to ecological systems and can cause health problems. A significant source of PAHs is the effluent of wastewater treatment plants. This book explores the occurrence and the treatability of PAHs in wastewater treatment.

This book describes the sources of water contamination by PAHs and their transportation and fate in natural aquatic systems. It then discusses, from the analytical chemist’s view, how to determine the presence of PAHs in water and wastewater, and the changes in PAH concentration during treatment processes. The text examines the removal of PAHs using membrane bioreactors and advanced sludge processes, highlighting results from both demonstration and full-scale plants. It also examines the presence of PAHs in conventional wastewater treatment plants, especially in sludge.