| Summary: |
A study was undertaken to evaluate the aerobic bio-degradation of selected post-tanning agents, especially syntans and fatliquors. A suspended growth batch system with seed-activated sludge was chosen for biological treatment according to OECD and ISO guidelines. COD was the main parameter to estimate the biodegradability profile of the chemicals. An abiotic reactor was run along with a test reactor to find out any degradation due to other factors, such as photolysis and hydrolysis. The results showed that fatliquors are mostly amenable to biodegradation, whereas syntans are recalcitrant. |