Biodegradation and detoxification of phenolic compounds by pure and mixed indigenous cultures in aerobic reactors

Abstract

Degradation and detoxi!cation of a mixture of persistent compounds (2-chlorophenol, phenol and m-cresol) were studied by using pure and mixed indigenous cultures in aerobic reactors. Biodegradation assays were performed in batch and continuous 9ow reactors. Biodegradation was evaluated by determining total phenols, ultraviolet spectrophotometry and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Microbial growth was measured by the plate count method. Scanning electronic microscopy was employed to observe the microbial community in the reactor. Detoxi!cation was evaluated by using Daphnia magna toxicity tests. Individual compounds were degraded by pure bacteria cultures within 27 h. The mixture of 2-clorophenol (100 mg l −1 ), phenol (50 mg l −1 ) and m-cresol (50 mg l −1 ) was degraded by mixed bacteria cultures under batch conditions within 36 h: 99.8% of total phenols and 92.5% of COD were removed; under continuous 9ow conditions 99.8% of total phenols and 94.9% of COD were removed. Mineralization of phenolic compounds was assessed by gas chromatography performed at the end of the batch assays and in the eAuent of the continuous-9ow reactor. Toxicity was not detected in the eAuent of the continuous-9ow reactor. ? 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.