Comparative studies of aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of methylparaben and propylparaben in activated sludge

Abstract

The biodegradability of two typical parabens (methylparaben and propylparaben) in activated sludge, at initial concentrations of 1mgL or 10mgL, was investigated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The results showed that microorganisms played a key role in degradation of parabens in WWTPs, especially in aerobic systems. The half-lives of methylparaben and propylparaben under aerobic conditions have been estimated to range between 15.8 and 19.8min, and benzoic acid was found to be one of the major biodegradation products. The calculated biodegradation efficiency of methylparaben and propylparaben in activated sludge under aerobic conditions was significantly higher than that observed under anaerobic (nitrate, sulfate, and Fe (III) reducing) conditions, as methylparaben and propylparaben exhibited comparatively higher persistence in anaerobic systems, with half-lives ≥43.3h and ≥8.6h, respectively. Overall, the results of this study imply that the majority of these parabens can be eliminated by aerobic biodegradation during conventional wastewater treatment processes, whereas minor removal is possible in anaerobic systems if an insufficient hydraulic retention time was maintained.

Mechanisms of Methylparaben Adsorption onto Activated Carbons: Removal Tests Supported by a Calorimetric Study of the Adsorbent–Adsorbate Interactions

“…Adsorption is an interesting alternative to other tertiary water treatments such as chlorination, advanced oxidation and ozonation when the molecules are reactive (as methylparaben) and can form toxic compounds, such as dioxins, organochlorine compounds and chloroamines upon oxidation [8,9,10]. Adsorption processes strictly depends on physical (e.g., surface area and pore volume of the adsorbent, molecular size of the adsorbate, etc.)…”

Alternanthera spp. based-phytoremediation for the removal of acetaminophen and methylparaben at mesocosm-scale constructed wetlands

“…This interpretation is consistent with the findings published by Ilyas and Hullebusch (2020), who confirmed the higher potential of aerobic degradation for AC at CWs. Likewise, Wu et al (2017) reported that MP exhibited comparatively higher persistence in anaerobic treatment systems compared to aerobic systems and they confirmed that the majority of parabens can be removed by aerobic biodegradation whereas minor removal is possible in anaerobic systems. Furthermore, Anjos et al (2018) mentioned that the degradation process almost related to length of carbon chain, which explains the high degradation of the short chain MP compound, particularly under aerobic conditions.…”

“…This interpretation is consistent with the findings published by Ilyas and Hullebusch (2020) , who confirmed the higher potential of aerobic degradation for AC at CWs. Likewise, Wu et al. (2017) reported that MP exhibited comparatively higher persistence in anaerobic treatment systems compared to aerobic systems and they confirmed that the majority of parabens can be removed by aerobic biodegradation whereas minor removal is possible in anaerobic systems.…”

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Can Be Transformed by Anaerobic Microbiomes in the Environment and in Waste‐Treatment Processes

“…Its extensive use as a fungicide and preservative has led to ubiquitous dispersal in the environment (Haman et al ). Despite its degradability by microbes, methylparaben is reported to resist degradation during wastewater treatment and is then released in the treated effluent (Hernández Leal et al ; Wu et al ). To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a methylparaben metabolite under sulfate‐rich and methanogenic conditions, although biodegradation has been suggested by reports of biogas production in methanogenic communities spiked with methylparaben (Madsen et al ; Haman et al ).…”