Phthalates and their removal possibilities

Phthalates are widely used plasticizers found in various industrial and household products, including wastewater. Due to their chemical stability and resistance to degradation, they are considered persistent micropollutants and may pose risks to both the environment and human health. This makes their removal from wastewater an essential task that requires advanced biological solutions.

Biodegradation of Phthalates

Phthalates can be broken down biologically under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Specialized microbial consortia can degrade phthalate compounds in a step-by-step process, ultimately converting them into harmless end products: carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and methane (CH₄).

How does BioCleaner remove phthalates?

BioCleaner OS is an intelligent biological treatment system that uses selected microbial consortia, tailored to specific flow rates, contamination levels, and environmental conditions. The unit is placed directly into an existing reactor, lagoon, or reservoir – no major infrastructure changes are required.

For phthalate removal, microbial mixes like "Chem5" are used to enhance the degradation processes and increase microbial activity in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-deprived environments.

1. Anaerobic Phthalate Degradation

In the absence of oxygen:

• Microorganisms initiate hydrolysis, breaking down phthalate esters into phthalic acid and alcohols.

• These are further degraded into short-chain organic acids, methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

• The recirculating microbial flow in BioCleaner OS promotes the continuous processing of intermediate compounds, enhancing degradation efficiency.

2. Aerobic Phthalate Degradation

In oxygen-rich environments:

• Aerobic bacteria oxidize the intermediate carbon compounds.

• This leads to complete mineralization, converting them into H₂O and CO₂.

Phthalate Biodegradation Steps:

1. Initial Hydrolysis
   Ester bonds (-COO-) are hydrolyzed by microbial enzymes (e.g., esterases), converting phthalates (e.g., DEHP) into monoesters (e.g., MEHP) and alcohols.

2. Further Hydrolysis
   Monoesters are broken down into phthalic acid and additional alcohols. Phthalic acid is more water-soluble and easier to degrade.

3. Aromatic Ring Cleavage
   Specialized bacteria add hydroxyl groups (hydroxylation) and use enzymes such as dioxygenases to open the aromatic ring structure.

4. Complete Mineralization
   The resulting compounds enter central metabolic pathways like the TCA (Krebs) cycle and are eventually transformed into CO₂ and H₂O.

BioCleaner OS enables controlled and optimized biodegradation—by selecting the right microbes and maintaining suitable conditions. This makes it a natural, eco-friendly, and innovative solution for removing micropollutants like phthalates from wastewater.

For more information about the problems caused by phthalates and how to solve them, visit our blog.

Biological degradation of phthalates during wastewater treatment

Kad BioCleaner OS mikroorganizmai efektyviau veiktų ir pagerintų anaerobinių bakterijų aktyvumą, 5–10 % nuotekų srauto grąžinama į pagrindinės valyklos pradžią.

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