Treatability of selected RCRA-regulated compounds in effluent treatment processes

Knowledge of the treatability of organic compounds potentially present in untreated mill effluents is needed to respond to regulatory initiatives such as Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) reporting requirements and various EPA activities under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This study addresses the biotreatability of selected compounds of importance in these regulatory programs. Bench-scale activated sludge systems are used to develop biodegradation rate coefficients for each compounds during full-scale treatment is then estimated using the NOCEPM model, with the bench-scale biodegradation rate coefficients entered as a model input. Application : knowledge of fate of organic compounds during effluent treatment is needed for various regulatory reporting requirements. This paper provides information necessary to estimate releases from treatment systems to the ambient air, sludge, and receiving waters.