Biosorption and biodegradation of bisphenol A in an activated sludge system

Research on biosorption and biodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in the environment is crucial for pollutant remediation. In this study, the specific biosorption rate (qbd) and specific biodegradation rate (qbio) of BPA in an activated sludge system with different parameters such as initial BPA concentration, pH, heavy metal and other organic carbon sources were investigated. The experimental results showed that biodegradation of BPA in the concentration range of 10–100 mg/L fitted a zero-order reaction. Kinetic parameters qbd and qbio of at various pH values of 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 were 1.20, 1.10, 1.08 and 0.54, 0.57, 0.62, 0.16, 0.74 day−1, respectively. High pH greatly inhibited both biosorption and biodegradation of BPA. Kinetic parameters qbd and qbio at various concentrations of Cu2+of 0, 10 and 50 mg/L were 1.10, 1.06, 0.36 and 0.57, 0.36, 0.23 day−1, respectively. When Cu2+ = 10 mg/L, the inhibition of biodegradation was larger than biosorption. Otherwise, when Cu2+ = 50 mg/L, the inhibition of biosorption was larger than biodegradation. Meanwhile, the toxicity of Cu2+ was reduced by chelant EDTA because of less free Cu2+. Glucose significantly accelerated the degradation of BPA, while p-hydroxybenzaldehyde did not.