Simultaneous removal of nitrate and pesticide endosulfan in groundwater using membrane biofilm reactor

Aim: In this study, a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor (H-2-MBfR) was operated to investigate the simultaneous removal of endosulfan and nitrate. Methodology: The MBfR was fed with synthetic groundwater prepared and operated at constant pH (7.2) and temperature (30 degrees C). The membrane bundle consisted of 40 hollow fiber membranes with an active length of 10 cm and surface area of 0.0078 m(2). The H-2-MBIR was operated for 237 days with varying influent nitrate concentrations (2.25-10 mg N l(-1)) hydraulic retention times (HRT, 0.5-12hr), hydrogen pressures (2-6psi), and endosulfan concentrations (0.1-10 Results: The study results showed that complete denitrification and endosulfan removal above 99% could be achieved when influent endosulfan concentration was 1 mu g l(-1) with an HRT of 1 hr, nitrate concentration of 10mg N and H-2 pressure of 6psi. Increasing endosulfan concentration to 10 mu g l(-1) decreased denitrification rate from 99 to 93%. Interpretation: The H-2-MBfR presented here has proved to be efficient for depuration of water contaminated with nitrate and pesticide end osulfan.