Contrast of sludge toxicity variation during treatment of wastewater containing mixed chlorophenols and single chlorophenol

To address problems associated with the potential toxicity of sludge when it is applied in land utilization, this study investigated the variations by which activated sludge becomes toxic when fed with wastewater containing mixed chlorophenols, and compared variations in sludge toxicity due to inputs of mixed chlorophenols and single chlorophenol groups. In this study, 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and mixed chlorophenols which consist of both 4-CP and 2,4,6-TCP were studied in sequencing batch reactors (SBR). The results indicate that in 0-30 d, the toxicity of sludge fed with mixed chlorophenols is higher than that of sludge fed with single chlorophenol groups. During 50-100 d, the toxicity of sludge fed with mixed chlorophenols ranged between two single chlorophenol groups. EPS and protein in EPS had a significant relationship with sludge toxicity, but there was no significant relationship between polysaccharide in EPS and sludge toxicity.