DC6: Enhanced removal of pharmaceutically active compounds in wastewater using anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactors (WP2)
Host institution: University of Tartu (Estonia)
Supervisor: Ivar Zekker (PhD promoter)
Objectives: (i) To develop biomass-derived functionalized carriers, and (ii) to evaluate the enhancement of API degradation and biogas production in anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactors (AnMBBRs).
DC6 will explore the optimization of anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactors (AnMBBR) to significantly advance the degradation of pharmaceutically active compounds in wastewater. By innovatively developing biomass-derived carriers, enhanced with natural additives to promote beneficial microbial colonization, the project will introduce tailored functional groups to these carriers. The subsequent step will involve an analytical phase, where the carriers will be coated with iron-based nanostructured materials to ascertain their impact on anaerobic digestion dynamics, including shifts in microbial community structure and overall system efficiency. This comprehensive approach will include the precise tuning of AnMBBR conditions—spanning hydraulic retention times to pH balance and redox potential—to ensure superior contaminant and ammonia elimination. A thorough examination of a range of pharmaceuticals (e.g., tramadol, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole) under various nutrient conditions (e.g., (starvation/medium/high C/N ratios) will facilitate the establishment of robust, scalable reactor designs. DC6 aims to include scale-up design, evaluating economic feasibility to promote widespread adoption and mark a transformative improvement in water treatment practices.
Expected results: (i) Successful API removal (>90%) via enhanced anammox-activity in AnMBBR-systems, (ii) Insights into the relationship between activity/inhibition rate and anammox intermediates (hydrazine, hydroxylamine) concentrations
Planned secondments:
- UAVR (Sup.: F. Silva): M18-21, 4 months: Design and fabrication of advanced functionalized carrier materials;
- Cloverstrategy (Sup.: T. Natal da Luz): M33-36; 4 months: Sustainability design via an integrated assessment of processes (LCA).
Enrolment in Doctoral degree: University of Tartu, Environmental Technology
Ideal candidate profile:
We look for competence of nutrients, rare pharmaceuticals measurements methods from wastewater (Clindamycin, Sulfadiazin, Sulfamethizol, Trimethoprim, Atenolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol, Sotabol, Cabamazepine etc) (by HPLC-MS-MS), CV measurements, stability testing of MFC.
Pilot reactors development, Monitoring and Microbial analysing and Data statistical analysis help needed. Results dissemination in media, Publications. Risk assessment and mitigation.
Recruited candidate: Patricia Solano