Application of a hybrid MBR system to treat herbicides from agricultural runoffs

Agricultural discharge of herbicides to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) poses significant threat to the marine ecosystem. This study evaluates the performance of a hybrid treatment system consists of a membrane bioreactor (MBR), UV disinfection unit and a granular activated carbon (GAC) column in treating Ametryn which is one of the major herbicides in agricultural discharges. While the MBR alone removes only 40% of Ametryn at a hydraulic retention time of 7.8 hours, the hybrid system removed Ametryn to below detection levels.