Implementing significant changes to conventional wastewater
treatment to minimise the occurrence of TrOCs in sludge is impractical.
In particular, it is difficult to pinpoint specific conditions that
will mitigate the TrOC accumulation in sludge due to the wide range
of TrOC characteristics. However, literature generally shows that
aerobic condition results to higher TrOC biodegradation compared
to either anoxic or anaerobic conditions, and anoxic condition may
promote the sorption of TrOC on sludge. A combination of different
redox conditions and careful control of DO levels has potential
to facilitate the TrOC sorption-biodegradation process. Operation
at SRT of more than 10 days could facilitate the biodegradation of
hydrophic and persistent TrOCs. The impact ofthe use of adsorbents
on TrOC accumulation in sludge should be examined in more detail,
as it may have ramifications on the treatability of TrOCs during
sludge stabilisation.