Using submersible fluorescence sensors to track the removal of organic matter in decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) in real time | Zendy

Natalie Mladenov | Zendy; Amy G. Bigelow | Zendy; Bjoern Pietruschka | Zendy; Mónica Palomo | Zendy; C.A. Buckley | Zendy

Open Access

Using submersible fluorescence sensors to track the removal of organic matter in decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) in real time

Author(s) -

Natalie Mladenov,

Amy G. Bigelow,

Bjoern Pietruschka,

Mónica Palomo,

C.A. Buckley

Publication year - 2017

Publication title -

water science and technology

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 0.406

H-Index - 137

eISSN - 1996-9732

pISSN - 0273-1223

DOI - 10.2166/wst.2017.573

Subject(s) - fluorometer , colored dissolved organic matter , wastewater , anaerobic filter , environmental science , dissolved organic carbon , fluorescence , sewage treatment , organic matter , environmental chemistry , anaerobic exercise , chemical oxygen demand , environmental engineering , chemistry , waste management , anaerobic digestion , engineering , physiology , physics , phytoplankton , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , methane , nutrient , biology

Decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) using anaerobic treatment are increasingly being considered for wastewater treatment with options for non-potable water reuse at the community scale. One challenge for ensuring performance and reliability of DEWATS is the lack of suitable on-site sensors to monitor failure or contamination events. In this study, the aim was to use in situ fluorescence sensors to track the performance of a DEWATS, consisting of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) coupled to anaerobic filter (AF) and constructed wetland (CW) treatment processes. A submersible in situ fluorometer equipped with tryptophan (TRP) and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) sensors was deployed in each chamber of the ABR-AF-CW system, and results showed that TRP fluorescence was preferentially removed over CDOM fluorescence throughout the system. Significant relationships between TRP fluorescence and chemical oxygen demand (COD) also suggested that TRP fluorescence could be used as a surrogate for COD and soluble COD concentrations. Strong agreement between results obtained from the 1D in situ fluorometer and those obtained from a 3D benchtop fluorometer lends further support to the use of in situ fluorescence sensors to track DEWATS performance.

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