The partitioning and removal of organic halide across an aerated stabilization basin (ASB) treating kraft mill wastewater.

Abstract

The research reported herein was conducted to monitor the adsorbable organic halide (AOX) in wastewater from two Kraft mill facilities employing aerated stabilization basins (ASB) to treat the wastewater. Bulk water AOX across the ASB was characterized by apparent molecular weight (AMW) through ultrafiltration. Changes in the AMW fractions were evaluated to identify possible removal pathways for AOX. Seasonal variations such as temperature were explored to identify their influence on the ASBs ability to remove AOX. Benthal solids and interstitial water were utilized to estimate the partitioning of AOX between the water column and the benthic layer. The extent of organic halide partitioning between the overlying water and the benthal zone is indicative of the role biosorption plays in the transport of organic halide from the water column to the benthic layer. An attempt was made to ascertain apparent dehalogenation in the sediment layer of the ASB.