Biodegradation in Activated Sludge Test

Assessing the extent and kinetics of primary and ultimate biodegradation of organic chemicals whose route of entry into the environment begins with their discharge to wastewater. 314(B) is a simulation test in activated sludge.

This test is appropriate for chemicals released continuously or episodically to wastewater. The principle objectives are to i) measure the rate of primary biodegradation, ii) measure the rate of mineralization and iii ) follow the formation and decay of major transformation products when appropriate.

Typically, a test chemical, radiolabelled (14C) in an appropriate position, is incubated with a representative environmental sample. Abiotic and biotic treatments are prepared for each test chemical and condition. The level of parent and degradation products is determined using chromatographic separation and radio-analytical detection methods.

OECD (2008), Test No. 314: Simulation Tests to Assess the Biodegradability of Chemicals Discharged in Wastewater, OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264067493-en.