Biodegradation of an aldehyde biocide in rotating biological contactors

Biodegradation of an aldehyde biocide, glutaraldehyde (GA), in a single-stage laboratory-scale rotating biological contactor (RBC) was studied under biocide or organic loadings (OL) of 12–66 g COD m⁻² day⁻¹ and hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 0.6–3.0 h. Biofilms on the RBC were acclimated in 180 ppm GA at a hydraulic loading (HL) of 0.18 m³ m⁻² day⁻¹ and the HRT of 0.60 h. The results showed that under a constant initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and sufficient mineral salts available, the degree of GA removal in the RBC system was increased with either decreasing OL or increasing HRT. After a period of acclimation, treatment efficiency in terms of GA removal by the RBC receiving GA as a sole carbon source was 89%. The biofilms played an important role in biodegradation of biocide in the RBCs, whereas bio-oxidation of their planktonic counterparts was totally inhibited in the presence of 50 ppm GA. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) test could be used as an appropriate analytical procedure for investigating the efficiency of wastewater treatment units when seed was acclimated and had adequate amount.