The removal of phosphorus during wastewater treatment: A review

Phosphorus removal from wastewater can be achieved either through chemical removal, advanced biological treatment or a combination of both. The chemical remobal of phosphorus involves the addition of calcium, iron and aluminium salts to achieve phosphorus precipitation by various mechanisms which ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 1988, Vol.49 (3), p.183-233
Main Authors: Yeoman, S, Stephenson, T, Lester, J.N, Perry, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
agricultural wastes
Applied sciences
chemical treatment
eutrophication
Exact sciences and technology
General purification processes
microbial sludge
phosphorus
Pollution
wastewater treatment
Wastewaters
water pollution
water quality
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Phosphorus removal from wastewater can be achieved either through chemical removal, advanced biological treatment or a combination of both. The chemical remobal of phosphorus involves the addition of calcium, iron and aluminium salts to achieve phosphorus precipitation by various mechanisms which are discussed. In addition, the effects of operating conditions, especially wastewater characteristics; sludge production in terms of quality and quantity; optimisation of chemical use and re-use; points of chemical addition combined with biological treatment; alternative chemical/physical treatments and examples of full-scale applications are also reviewed. Biological phosphorus removal is dependent upon the uptake of phosphorus in excess of normal bacterial metabolic requirements and is proposed as an alternative to chemical treatment. Early developments and the postulated removal mechanisms are reviewed; these include either natural chemical precipitation, enhanced biological removal, or a combination of both. The nature of excess biological phosphorus removal in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants is evaluated, considering various operating parameters, bacteriology and process designs.
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/0269-7491(88)90209-6