Changes in the potential functional diversity of the bacterial community in biofilters

Abstract

The bacterial community structure in a biofilter treating ethanol was investigated using community level physiological profiling. Laboratory scale biofilters of two sizes (5 or 11.5 cm internal diameter with 30 or 67 cm packed height, respectively) were packed with compost and a humidified airstream loaded with ethanol passed through them. Good removal efficiencies (82-100%) and elimination capacities (49-205 g ethanol m(-3) h(-1)) were observed in all units. Compost packing media samples were extracted and the community level physiological profiles assayed using Biolog Ecoplates. The community structure was found to be similar over a range of a few centimetres. No differences were observed between sample sizes of 0.5-1 and 6 g, and therefore, the smaller sample size (typical of that used in previous studies) is appropriate for use in the future. Two studies of parallel systems showed that the community structure diverged during the acclimation period (10 days) in one pair, but in another pair, no divergence was observed and a similar shift in community profile was observed in both units between 25 and 40 days of operation. Community level physiological profiling with Biolog Ecoplates is a useful method for detecting differences between and changes within the bacterial communities in biofilters.