Behavior of Natural Estrogens in Activated Sludge: Biodegradation in Semicontinuous Reactor under Aerobic, Anaerobic and Sequential Anaerobic/Aerobic Conditions

Abstract. The behavior of natural estrogens was examined by separately spiking 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) into semicontinuous activated sludge reactors operated under aerobic, anaerobic and sequential anaerobic/aerobic conditions. Under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, E1 was formed from E2. The conversion of E1 to E2 was maximum conversion of E2 to E1 was higher than t E1 to E2. Overall, the degradation rate of E2 ( E1 (kE1). The findings suggest that E1 is probably more persistent than E2 in effluent of sewage treatment plants