Effect of biostimulation on biodegradation of dissolved organic carbon in biological filters

K Tihomirova,A Briedis,J Rubulis,T Juhna

doi:10.5194/dwes-5-23-2012

K Tihomirova, A Briedis + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.5194/dwes-5-23-2012

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Abstract

Abstract. The addition of labile organic carbon (LOC) to enhance the biodegradation rate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in biological columns was studied. Acetate standard solution (NaAc) and Luria Bertrani (LB) medium were used as LOC as biostimulants in glass column system used for measurements of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC). The addition of LOC related with the increase of total DOC in sample. The concentration of BDOC increased up to 7 and 5 times and was utilized after 24 min. contact time. The biodegradation rate constant was increased at least 26 times during adaptation-biostimulation period. There was a strong positive correlation between the biodegradation rate constant and the concentration of BDOC. Biostimulation period ranged from 24 to 53 h for NaAc biostimulant and from 20 to 168 h for LB. The study has shown that LOC could be used as stimulator to enhance the biodegradation rate of DOC during biofiltration.

Highlights

During ozonation dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is transformed to biodegradable organic carbon (BDOC), which is metabolized by bacteria in the biofilter (Fahmi et al, 2003; Hammes and Vital, 2008; Volk et al, 1993)
In Boreal regions, where the surface waters contain high concentrations of natural organic matter (NOM) or organic matter substances having a low biodegradation rate and biofilters are operated at low temperatures, NOM removal in biofilter is not effective, and can reach only 15–19 % measured as DOC, or 75 % measured as neutral fraction or fast biodegradable part of NOM (Tihomirova, 2011)
To stimulate biodegradation rate of slowly degradable part of DOC in drinking water treatment the effect of addition of labile organic carbon (LOC) (NaAc or Luria Bertrani (LB)) in water was tested in the glass column system

Summary

Introduction

During ozonation dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is transformed to biodegradable organic carbon (BDOC), which is metabolized by bacteria in the biofilter (Fahmi et al, 2003; Hammes and Vital, 2008; Volk et al, 1993). In Boreal regions, where the surface waters contain high concentrations of NOM or organic matter substances having a low biodegradation rate and biofilters are operated at low temperatures, NOM removal in biofilter is not effective, and can reach only 15–19 % measured as DOC, or 75 % measured as neutral fraction or fast biodegradable part of NOM (Tihomirova, 2011). To increase the biodegradation rate for removal of recalcitrant organic substances the addition of labile organic carbon (LOC) is a widely used practice for the remediation of contaminated soils, sediments and sewage (Brandt et al, 2003; Shimp and Pfaender, 1985; Spain et al, 1980; Wiggins and Alexander, 1988), applicability of this approach for the removal of compounds resistant to biodegradation from drinking water during biofiltration has not yet been studied

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