Treatability of antibiotics in sequential buoyant filter/aerobic and multichamber/aerobic systems

In the context of this thesis, the treatability of oxytetracycline (OTC), amoxicillin (AMX), tylosin (TYL) and erythromycin (ERY), which are toxic and non-degradable antibiotic compounds were investigated in an sequential Anaerobic Multichamber Bed Reactor (AMCBR)/aerobic Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) and sequential Anaerobic Buoyant Filter Reactor (ABFR)/aerobic Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) reactor systems at increasing OTC, AMX, TYL and ERY loading rates and decreasing HRTs. COD, OTC, AMX, TYL and ERY removal efficiencies, total and methane gas productions, methane contents, TVFA, Bic.Alk., TVFA/Bic.Alk. ratios were investigated separately in AMCBR and ABFR at increasing OTC, AMX, TYL and ERY loading rates and decreasing HRTs. High COD, OTC, AMX, TYL and ERY removals were obtained in the AMCBR reactor compared to the ABFR reactor. High methane productions and methane yields were obtained in the AMCBR versus ABFR reactor.High COD, OTC, AMX, TYL, ERY removal efficiencies and methane gas contents were obtained at high HRTs in the AMCBR and ABFR reactors. TVFA, Bic.Alk., TVFA/Bic.Alk. ratios were found between optimum values in the AMCBR and ABFR reactors through continuous operation. The toxic OTC and AMX were transformed to less toxic intermediate products namely alfa-Apo, beta-Apo OTC and to diketopiperazine, respectively in the AMCBR and ABFR reactors. High acute toxicity yields were obtained with the bioassays performed by Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna in the sequential AMCBR/CSTR reactor systems. The substrate removal in the AMCBR was performed according to Grau-second order, Stover-Kincannon kinetic model. At high OTC concentration the inhibition was explained with Haldane kinetic model. The methane obtained from the AMCBR reactor can be used to recovery a partial part of the expenses utilized in the sequential anaerobic/aerobic reactor with simultaneous OTC, AMX; TYL and ERY removals.Keywords: anaerobic multichamber bed reactor (AMCBR), anaerobic buoyant filter reactor (ABFR), oxytetracycline (OTC), amoxicillin (AMX), tylosin (TYL), erythromycin (ERY), anaerobic treatment, anaerobic/aerobic treatment, toxicity, kinetic, inhibition, Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri