Hybrid Ozonation-Biological Activated Carbon Process for Micropollutant Removal in Drinking Water Treatment

Abstract

The presence of trace organic micropollutants in drinking water sources has become a major environmental and public health concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and resistance to conventional treatment methods. The present study investigates the performance of a hybrid ozonation–biological activated carbon process for micropollutant removal in drinking water treatment under controlled operational conditions. The research focuses on evaluating oxidation efficiency, biodegradation performance, organic matter transformation, and overall treatment stability associated with integrated advanced treatment systems. Experimental analysis was conducted to examine the influence of ozone dosage, contact time, activated carbon characteristics, hydraulic loading rate, dissolved organic matter concentration, and microbial activity on micropollutant removal efficiency and water quality improvement. Results demonstrate that ozonation effectively transforms persistent organic contaminants into more biodegradable intermediates through oxidative degradation mechanisms, while the biological activated carbon stage further enhances removal through adsorption and microbial biodegradation processes. The study further reveals that optimized ozone exposure and activated carbon operation significantly improve the elimination of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other trace organic contaminants while reducing disinfection byproduct precursor compounds. Enhanced microbial colonization on activated carbon surfaces contributed to stable long-term biodegradation performance and improved carbon regeneration efficiency. Comparative assessment with conventional drinking water treatment systems confirms the advantages of the hybrid process, including higher micropollutant removal efficiency, improved treated water quality, and reduced environmental risk associated with emerging contaminants.