Wastewater treatment through microbial biosorption

Biosorption uses the natural ability of microorganisms to bind organic pollutants from contaminated environments. The process depends on the metabolic activity of microorganisms to sorb and degrade complex organic compounds. Compared to conventional methods, it offers significant advantages in availability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Waste sludge is increasingly recognised as a resource, particularly for its potential as a biosorbent in water treatment, which aligns with the principles of the circular economy.
In this study, the biosorption of organic substances in leachate using activated sludge was investigated under submerged and batch conditions. The concentration of organic load exceeded 15,000 mg COD/L. The dissolved oxygen and bacterial content were 1.87 mg/L and 8.6 log cfu/mL, respectively. The organic fraction (VSS) in total suspended solids (TSS) was 0.88. The biosorption efficiency was approximately 16% after 90 minutes. The integration of activated sludge in wastewater treatment enables biomass recycling through sustainable resource management and the implementation of solutions for environmental protection.