Efficiency of conventional activated sludge in the removal of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate from municipal sewage

Background: Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) is an anionic detergent that is abundantly produced in different countries and discharged into natural environment through wastewater collection systems. Wastewater treatment systems play an important role in the removal of this contaminant. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of a conventional activated sludge system in removing linear alkylbenzene sulfonate from wastewater in Kermanshah.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on the wastewater in Kermanshah for 10 months. In order to determine the efficiency of the influent activated sludge process, 60 wastewater samples were taken after primary sedimentation and effluent of wastewater treatment system and LAS concentration was measured. All the sampling and testing methods were performed according to the standard method guidelines.

Results: The results showed the means of LAS removal in the winter and warm seasons were 90.8% and 96.5%, respectively. The total mean of LAS removal in this system was 93.9 ±3.6. In addition, COD and TSS removal levels in winter were 88.3% and 72.3%; these values, however, in the summer were 86.9%, and 83.3%, respectively.

Conclusion: The results showed that the conventional activated sludge process plays a pivotal role in the removal of LAS concentration. Moreover, the effluent concentration of LAS is less than the environmental standards for discharge into surface water in warm seasons.