Digging deep into a GAC filter – Temporal and spatial profiling of adsorbed organic micropollutants

New Perspectives on the Interactions between Adsorption and Degradation of Organic Micropollutants in Granular Activated Carbon Filters

“…GAC and sand were retrieved from the top of two full-scale filters at Degeberga WWTP, Sweden, on three separate occasions ( Figure S1 and Table S1 ). GAC from the top of the filter bed was used to best resemble long-term operation in terms of adsorbed micropollutants 33 and biofilm development. 34 The sand and GAC filters are operated in series, downstream of an activated sludge process with nitrification and partial denitrification, followed by postprecipitation and final clarification.…”

Unraveling the Key Factors Affecting the Bacterial Community and ARGs in Full-Scale Drinking Water Biological Activated Carbon Filters: Enriched Antibiotics

“…Various micropollutants, such as carbamazepine, fluconazole, and SMZ, were observed to be enriched in BAC, and most micropollutants were rapidly adsorbed in the inlet part of the active carbon (AC) filter. 14 In this study, the biofilm of BAC may be the main reservoir for antibiotics. Electrostatic interaction was one of the main mechanisms related to adsorption of antibiotics onto biofilms.…”

“…It has been reported that antibiotics are enriched in activated carbon, although antibiotics' concentration in the aquatic environment is relatively low. 14 Moreover, several studies have reported that activated carbons, especially coalbased, contain elevated levels of different heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and so on. 15 These enriched endogenous contaminants in BAC may be the potential drivers contributing to the enrichment of ARGs and are worth investigating.…”

“…As an efficient adsorption unit of the drinking water treatment process, BAC filters adsorb and accumulate various contaminants within BAC surfaces and pores during long-term running. It has been reported that antibiotics are enriched in activated carbon, although antibiotics’ concentration in the aquatic environment is relatively low . Moreover, several studies have reported that activated carbons, especially coal-based, contain elevated levels of different heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and so on .…”

Water Analysis: Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues

“…Physical and Physical−Chemical Treatment. The adsorption patterns of pharmaceuticals and other compounds to GAC was the focus of a study by Edefell et al 186 The removal of 22 selected organic micropollutants (mostly pharmaceuticals, the hormone estrone, and a few other compounds) at a large pilot-scale GAC filter used downstream of a full-scale WWTP was assessed. Micropollutants were extracted from the GAC at different filter depths and after various numbers of treated bed volumes (BVs) to examine adsorption dynamics.…”