Bioregeneration by mixed microorganisms of granular activated carbon loaded with a mixture of phenols

The role of mixed microorganisms on the bioregeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC) loaded with a mixture of phenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol was investigated. In a biological activated-carbon, sequencing batch reactor (BAC-SBR), bioregeneration efficiency for phenol was enhanced from 39 to 48% and for 2,4-dichlorophenol from 38 to 43% by increasing solid retention time from 3 to 8 days. Prolonging the sludge retention time induced both progressive desorption of adsorbates due to biodegradation in the bulk solution and direct assimilation of adsorbates on GAC by attached microorganisms.