Retainment of the antimicrobial agent triclosan in a septic tank

Ala Kirjanova, Mindaugas Rimeika, Jes Vollertsen, Asbjørn Haaning Nielsen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the fate of the antimicrobial agent triclosan (TCS) in a conventional septic tank. The main mechanism of TCS removal from wastewater was identified to be rapid TCS sorption to suspended particles followed by settling of these particles to the bottom of the septic tank. Sorption to particles was completed within minutes while the settling took several days. Therefore, in a septic tank the removal of TCS from wastewater is mainly determined by the removal of suspended particles by sedimentation. Over 5 days of hydraulic residence time the initial dissolved TCS concentration of 100 μg/L was reduced by 87±8%. During the first 24 hours, 66–86% of all removed TCS was retained, whereas during the remainder of the experiment a slight but steady decrease in TCS concentration was observed. This was most likely caused by TCS diffusion and its subsequent sorption onto the septic sludge.
Original languageEnglish
JournalWater Science and Technology
Volume70
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)586–592
Number of pages7
ISSN0273-1223
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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