PHENOL REMOVAL BY SOIL ADSORPTION WITH ACTIVATED-SLUDGE ADDITION

This research study evaluated the removal of phenol by using different types of soils and soils plus activated sludge. Treatment time interv als were one, two, three, five and seven days. Four types of soils-loa m, sandy loam, silty loam and silty-clay loam-were collected from the metropolitan Cleveland area and were used in the study. The soil to wa stewater ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 were used in the treatment experim ent. Activated sludge of various concentrations was added in soils to improve treatment efficiency. Results showed that the loam, silty loam and silty-clay loam appeared to be effective in reducing phenol level s over the given soil/wastewater ratios and designated treatment time intervals. The phenol removal efficiency ranged from 30 percent to 55 percent. Among the four types of soils which have been added with acti vated sludge, the silty loam and silty-clay loam proved to be most eff ective in removing phenol from wastewater with a phenol removal effici ency up to 70 percent. It was also found that addition of activated sl udge to the soil enhanced biological oxidation and removal of phenol.