2. Academic Validation
  3. Biodegradation of triclosan and formation of methyl-triclosan in activated sludge under aerobic conditions

Biodegradation of triclosan and formation of methyl-triclosan in activated sludge under aerobic conditions

  • Chemosphere. 2011 Jul;84(4):452-6. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.03.042.
Xijuan Chen 1,  Jeppe Lund Nielsen,  Karolina Furgal,  Yaling Liu,  Ihab Bishara Lolas,  Kai Bester
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 49, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
PMID: 21507452 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.03.042
Abstract

Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent which is widely used in household and personal care products. Widespread use of this compound has led to the elevated concentrations of triclosan in wastewater, wastewater treatment Plants (WWTPs) and receiving waters. Removal of triclosan and formation of triclosan-methyl was investigated in activated sludge from a standard activated sludge WWTP equipped with enhanced biological phosphorus removal. The removal was found to occur mainly under aerobic conditions while under anoxic (nitrate reducing) and anaerobic conditions rather low removal rates were determined. In a laboratory-scale activated sludge reactor 75% of the triclosan was removed under aerobic conditions within 150 h, while no removal was observed under anaerobic or anoxic conditions. One percent of the triclosan was converted to triclosan-methyl under aerobic conditions, less under anoxic (nitrate reducing) and none under anaerobic conditions.

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