The behaviour of polychlorinated biphenyls in the primary sedimentation process of sewage treatment: A pilot plant study

The behaviour of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the primary sedimentation stage of sewage treatment has been studied using a pilot scale primary sedimentation plant. The plant was operated at different hydraulic loadings, selected to cover the range expected during normal operation of a sewage treatment works. Concentrations of PCB in raw sewage were found to be in the low ng l −1 range and in the high ng l −1 range in primary sludges. A relationship between raw sewage PCB concentrations and variations in the raw sewage flow to the full-scale sewage treatment works was evident. Removal efficiencies of PCB were found to be highest at dry weather flow and lowest at three times dry weather flow, their removals being comparable to those of suspended solids. Mass balances of PCB and suspended solids in the treatment process have been calculated and the possible sources of error considered. Comparisons of the results have been made with those of previous studies. The implications of the presence of PCB in waste waters and sewage sludges for water re-use and sewage sludge disposal are discussed.