Biological processes and organic micropollutants in treatment processes

This paper characterizes the factors that control biodegradation of organic micropollutants in biologically active drinking water processes. Particularly important are the dominance of attached microorganisms, the aerobic potential, the low concentration of organic matter, the very low concentrations of specific micropollutants, and the presence of inorganic electron donors. Biodegradation of the specific compounds is feasible if sufficient microbial growth occurs through utilization of natural organic material and if the secondary-utilization kinetics of the micropollutants are sufficiently rapid.