Biodegradation Of Organic Compounds Research Articles

A hypothesis on Microthrix parvicella proliferation in biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems with selector tanks

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of Microthrix parvicella for long-chain fatty acids uptake under anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic conditions as well as its ability to utilize volatile fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids under anoxic and aerobic conditions. According to the results, a hypothesis on the competition between floc-forming microorganisms and M.parvicella for long-chain fatty acids uptake under aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions was formulated. According to this hypothesis, M.parvicella exhibits similar long-chain fatty acids uptake capacity with floc-forming microorganisms even at relatively high floc loading values that are very often imposed at selector tanks. Following this hypothesis, the failure of selector tanks to provide for an effective M.parvicella control is evidenced. Based on the experimental results, the ability of M.parvicella to utilize long-chain fatty acids with rates comparable to those of floc formers, even in anoxic conditions, in conjunction with its lower acetate utilization rates, provides a good explanation regarding its preference to slowly biodegradable organic carbon compounds.

Development of an Environmentally Friendly in-situ Pack-Cyaniding Technique

A safe and environmentally friendly cyaniding method has been developed to mitigate the toxic impacts of cyanide salts on the environment during conventional cyaniding. The method entails in-situ diffusion of nascent cyanide from mature cassava leaves into the surface of mild steel components via pack-cyaniding. Both high-temperature in-situ diffusion into austenite and low-temperature in-situ diffusion into ferrite were explored. Results from light and scanning electron microscopic studies showed that surface hardness of the steel components was substantially increased. The waste product was a harmless biodegradable organic compound that posed no disposal threats. This study is important for increasing the wear resistance of ferrous parts for a longer service life in application without polluting the environment.

Treatment of sludge containing nitro-aromatic compounds in reed-bed mesocosms – Water, BOD, carbon and nutrient removal

Since the mid-1970s, Sweden has been depositing 1 million ton d.w sludge/year, produced at waste water treatment plants. Due to recent legislation this practice is no longer a viable method of waste management. It is necessary to improve existing and develop new sludge management techniques and one promising alternative is the dewatering and treatment of sludge in constructed wetlands. The aim of this study was to follow reduction of organic carbon, BOD and nutrients in an industrial sludge containing nitro-aromatic compounds passing through constructed small-scale wetlands, and to investigate any toxic effect such as growth inhibition of the common reed Phragmites australis. The result showed high reduction of all tested parameters in all the outgoing water samples, which shows that constructed wetlands are suitable for carbon and nutrient removal. The results also showed that P. australis is tolerant to xenobiotics and did not appear to be affected by the toxic compounds in the sludge. The sludge residual on the top of the beds contained low levels of organic carbon and is considered non-organic and could therefore be landfilled. Using this type of secondary treatment method, the amount of sludge could be reduced by 50–70%, mainly by dewatering and biodegradation of organic compounds.

Kinetics of model high molecular weight organic compounds biodegradation in soil aquifer treatment

Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) is a process where treated wastewater is purified during transport through unsaturated and saturated zones. Easily biodegradable compounds are rapidly removed in the unsaturated zone and the residual organic carbon is comprised of primarily high molecular weight compounds. This research focuses on flow in the saturated zone where flow conditions are predictable and high molecular weight compounds are degraded. Flow through the saturated zone was investigated with 4 reactors packed with 2 different particle sizes and operated at 4 different flow rates. The objective was to evaluate the kinetics of transformation for high molecular weight organics during SAT. Dextran was used as a model compound to eliminate the complexity associated with studying a mixture of high molecular weight organics. The hydrolysis products of dextran are easily degradable sugars. Batch experiments with media taken from the reactors were used to determine the distribution of microbial activity in the reactors. Zero-order kinetics were observed for the removal of dextran in batch experiments which is consistent with hydrolysis of high molecular weight organics where extracellular enzymes limit the substrate utilization rate. Biomass and microbial activity measurements demonstrated that the biomass was independent of position in the reactors. A Monod based substrate/biomass growth kinetic model predicted the performance of dextran removal in the reactors. The rate limiting step appears to be hydrolysis and the overall rate was not affected by surface area even though greater biomass accumulation occurred as the surface area decreased.

Abundance and Diversity of n-Alkane-Degrading Bacteria in a Forest Soil Co-Contaminated with Hydrocarbons and Metals: A Molecular Study on alkB Homologous Genes

Unraveling functional genes related to biodegradation of organic compounds has profoundly improved our understanding of biological remediation processes, yet the ecology of such genes is only poorly understood. We used a culture-independent approach to assess the abundance and diversity of bacteria catalyzing the degradation of n-alkanes with a chain length between C(5) and C(16) at a forest site co-contaminated with mineral oil hydrocarbons and metals for nearly 60years. The alkB gene coding for a rubredoxin-dependent alkane monooxygenase enzyme involved in the initial activation step of aerobic aliphatic hydrocarbon metabolism was used as biomarker. Within the area of study, four different zones were evaluated: one highly contaminated, two intermediately contaminated, and a noncontaminated zone. Contaminant concentrations, hydrocarbon profiles, and soil microbial respiration and biomass were studied. Abundance of n-alkane-degrading bacteria was quantified via real-time PCR of alkB, whereas genetic diversity was examined using molecular fingerprints (T-RFLP) and clone libraries. Along the contamination plume, hydrocarbon profiles and increased respiration rates suggested on-going natural attenuation at the site. Gene copy numbers of alkB were similar in contaminated and control areas. However, T-RFLP-based fingerprints suggested lower diversity and evenness of the n-alkane-degrading bacterial community in the highly contaminated zone compared to the other areas; both diversity and evenness were negatively correlated with metal and hydrocarbon concentrations. Phylogenetic analysis of alkB denoted a shift of the hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial community from Gram-positive bacteria in the control zone (most similar to Mycobacterium and Nocardia types) to Gram-negative genotypes in the contaminated zones (Acinetobacter and alkB sequences with little similarity to those of known bacteria). Our results underscore a qualitative rather than a quantitative response of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to the contamination at the molecular level.

Towards green membranes: preparation of cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes using methyl lactate as a biosolvent

Ultrafiltration membranes were prepared using cellulose acetate (CA) as a polymer, LiCl and CaCl2 as porogens and methyl-(S)-lactate as a solvent. CA, methyl lactate and the porogens used in this work are obtained from renewable resources; they are biodegradable, non-toxic and non-volatile organic compounds. Flat sheet ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by the phase inversion technique. A molecular weight cut-off between 15 and 35 kDa (polyethylene glycol) and pure water permeability between 13 and 177 litres h− 1m− 2 bar− 1 were obtained. These parameters are in the ideal range for water treatment industry. Improvement of pollutant degree and ecotoxicity of the process was evaluated by ‘green’ metrics by the P (pollutants, persistent and bioaccumulative) and E (ecotoxicity) parameters. Both of these variables were recorded as zero using our method. This study represents a step ahead towards the production of ultrafiltration polymeric membranes by a ‘greener’ process than current methods.

Co-digestion of pig manure and glycerine: Experimental and modelling study

It is a fact that the rapid increase of biodiesel production over the last years has resulted in the generation of large and constant amounts of glycerine, which is causing an oversupply problem. Since glycerine is a biodegradable organic compound exempt of nitrogen, it can be applied as a co-substrate in the anaerobic digestion process of pig manure (PM). In order to analyze the feasibility of a mixture of pig manure and glycerine in anaerobic processes and to define the effect originated by the nitrogen limitation when large amounts of glycerine are added, several biodegradability batch tests were performed with different mixtures. These were named as: 100% PM, 80% PM, 60% PM, 40% PM and 20% PM, in pig manure wet weight-basis. Furthermore, a modified model based on anaerobic digestion model no.1 (ADM1) was used to simulate the methane production profiles for the mixtures tested. Specifically, both experimental and model results show the power of the co-digestion technology. In particular, the mixture of 80% PM produced the highest methane production with 215 mL CH4 g−1 COD, almost 125% more methane than when pig manure was mono-digested. In contrast, the one with 20% PM was clearly inhibited by the volatile fatty acid due to the low nitrogen concentration of the mixture. In addition, the specific methane production predicted by the model was in good agreement with the experimental results, although in some samples the shape of the profiles did not match perfectly. Moreover, the modified ADM1 appears to be a useful tool to predict the methane production and the limitations related to the lack/excess of nitrogen during the co-digestion process of pig manure and glycerine.

Efficiency of coconut coir-pith as an alternative substrate in the treatment of submerged macrophyte wetland systems in tropical conditions

The effects of coconut coir-pith as an alternative substrate material in submerged macrophyte wetland systems were investigated in three similar pilot-scale wetlands (WL1, WL2 and WL3) planted with Hydrilla verticillata. The substrate layers of WL1 and WL3 were river sand and coconut coir-pith, respectively, whereas that of WL2 was a mixture of river sand and coir-pith (ratio 1:1). The influent and effluent water-quality parameters were examined weekly to identify the effects of coir-pith on the treatment process. The results showed that the total nitrogen removal efficiency was higher in WL2 (52.3%) and WL3 (62.1%) than in WL1 (29.1%). The most efficient removals of biodegradable organic compounds (54.4%) and total dissolved solids (40.5%) were encountered in WL2, whereas the maximum total suspended solids (66.4%) and conductivity (38.5%) reductions were found in WL3. However, the PO–P removal efficiency was only slightly improved in WL2 (74.2%) and WL3 (74.4%) over WL1 (68.7%). Microbiological investigations revealed that WL2 and WL3 were more efficient in removing Escherichia coli than WL1. Statistical analyses by ANOVA showed that the water treatment efficiencies of WL2 and WL3 were substantially better than WL1 (p<0.05).

Methane Production and Isotopic Fingerprinting in Ethanol Fuel Contaminated Sites

Biodegradation of organic compounds in groundwater can be a significant source of methane in contaminated sites. Methane might accumulate in indoor spaces posing a hazard. The increasing use of ethanol as a gasoline additive is a concern with respect to methane production since it is easily biodegraded and has a high oxygen demand, favoring the development of anaerobic conditions. This study evaluated the use of stable carbon isotopes to distinguish the methane origin between gasoline and ethanol biodegradation, and assessed the occurrence of methane in ethanol fuel contaminated sites. Two microcosm tests were performed under anaerobic conditions: one test using ethanol and the other using toluene as the sole carbon source. The isotopic tool was then applied to seven field sites known to be impacted by ethanol fuels. In the microcosm tests, it was verified that methane from ethanol (δ¹³C = -11.1‰) is more enriched in ¹³C, with δ¹³C values ranging from -20‰ to -30‰, while the methane from toluene (δ¹³C = -28.5‰) had a carbon isotopic signature of -55‰. The field samples had δ¹³C values varying over a wide range (-10‰ to -80‰), and the δ¹³C values allowed the methane source to be clearly identified in five of the seven ethanol/gasoline sites. In the other two sites, methane appears to have been produced from both sources. Both gasoline and ethanol were sources of methane in potentially hazardous concentrations and methane could be produced from organic acids originating from ethanol along the groundwater flow system even after all the ethanol has been completed biodegraded.

Photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the model aquatic microcosm: effect of light intensity and dissolved biodegradable organic compound

The impact of light (1,000 × 100,000 lx) on the inactivation of S. aureus and V. parahaemolyticus has been assessed under different concentrations of dissolved biodegradable organic compound (BOC) at pH 7.0. First, a gradual decrease in the number of cultivable cells was observed. Secondly, a cell reactivation was observed and it was marked in the absence of BOC. In the absence of BOC, the lowest value of cell inhibition rate (CIR) during the first 3 h was 0.138 h(-1) for S. aureus and 0.218 h(-1) for V. parahaemolyticus. In the presence of 10,100 and 1,000 mg/l of BOC, it was 0.196 h(-1), 0.243 h(-1) and 0.257 h(-1) for S. aureus respectively, and 0.285 h(-1), 0.306 h(-1) and 0.409 h(-1) for V. parahaemolyticus respectively. The CIRs values of each bacterial species significantly varied (P<0.001) with the changes in BOC concentration. In most cases, no significant difference was noted in the CIRs of both species when they were under the same light intensity and BOC. Nevertheless, it seems important to consider the impact of dissolved BOC during the treatment of bacterial polluted water.

Biodegradation of organic compounds from coking wastewater with UASB reactor

The UASB reactor was applied for biodegradation of organic compounds in coking wastewater. The influent pH ranged between 6.8 and 7.2, and stirring speed and temperature were controlled at 2 r/min and 30±1°C, respectively. The reactor was successfully started up in 133 days. When the influent COD was 2,600 mg/L (VLR was 2.6 kg/m(3) d), the removal rate of COD was about 54% and the effluent VFA was below 400 mg/L. GC/MS analysis indicated that the coking wastewater mainly contained aniline, phenol, o-phenol, p-cresol, benzoic acid, indole, quinoline etc. Twenty four kinds of organic compounds were detected in the influent, and 20 kinds of organic compounds were completely removed in the UASB reactor. The biodegradation of organic compounds followed Grau second-order kinetics. It was proved to be an effective and feasible method for coking wastewater anaerobic treatment.

Combining MBR and NF/RO membrane filtration for the removal of trace organics in indirect potable water reuse applications

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the complementarities of combining membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment with nanofiltration (NF) or reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filtration for the removal of trace organic contaminants for potential indirect potable water recycling applications. Four commercially available NF/RO membranes, namely NF270, NF90, BW30 and ESPA2, were selected for this investigation. Challenge tests were conducted with 40 trace organic compounds at concentrations of approximately 2 μg/L in initial wastewater solutions using a laboratory scale MBR system and a cross-flow NF/RO rig. The results suggest that the MBR system effectively removes hydrophobic and biodegradable trace organic compounds. The adsorption of these hydrophobic compounds onto the MBR mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) leads to an extended retention time in the biological reactor, thereby enhancing their removal. The remaining, mostly hydrophilic, trace organic compounds were shown to be effectively removed by NF/RO membranes. The combination of MBR and a low pressure RO membrane resulted in more than 95% removal or removal to below the analytical detection limit of all 40 trace organic compounds investigated in this study. The results also suggest that NF/RO membrane fouling could be mitigated by appropriate membrane selection. Despite a relatively high initial permeate flux, negligible flow rate decline was observed with an NF membrane and a low pressure RO membrane over more than 25 h of filtration, possibly due to the smooth surfaces of these two particular membranes.

Enhancement of biological treatment of wastewater by magnetic field

In this study, effect of magnetic field on the activity of activated sludge in wastewater treatment was investigated. During the experiment, biodegradation duration, magnetic density, operating temperature and medium pH value were changed within the ranges from 0 to 60h, 0 to 500.0mT, 10.0 to 50.0 degrees C and 3.0 to 12.0, respectively. These results revealed that activated sludge acclimatization and organic pollutant biodegradation processes under magnetic field were stimulated, resulting in a higher efficiency of wastewater treatment. Biodegradation of organic compounds under magnetic field could reach stable states after 48h. The organic compounds removal rate first roared up and then fell down with the increase of magnetic density of the field, turning at 20.0mT. On account of application of magnetic field, the range of temperature and pH, which is suitable for the growth of microbe, were 20.0-40.0 degrees C and 6.0-10.0, respectively, which were expanded compared with those without the magnetic field.

Uptake of Hydrocarbon by Pseudomonas fluorescens (P1) and Pseudomonas putida (K1) Strains in the Presence of Surfactants: A Cell Surface Modification

The objective of this research was the evaluation of the effects of exogenous added surfactants on hydrocarbon biodegradation and on cell surface properties. Crude oil hydrocarbons are often difficult to remove from the environment because of their insolubility in water. The addition of surfactants enhances the removal of hydrocarbons by raising the solubility of these compounds. These surfactants cause them to become more vulnerable to degradation, thereby facilitating transportation across the cell membrane. The obtained results showed that the microorganism consortia of bacteria are useful biological agents within environmental bioremediation. The most effective amongst all, as regards biodegradation, were the consortia of Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. strains. The results indicated that the natural surfactants (rhamnolipides and saponins) are more effective surfactants in hydrocarbon biodegradation as compared to Triton X-100. The addition of natural surfactants enhanced the removal of hydrocarbon and diesel oil from the environment. Very promising was the use of saponins as a surfactant in hydrocarbon biodegradation. This surfactant significantly increases the organic compound biodegradation. In the case of those surfactants that could be easily adsorbed on cells of strains (e.g., rhamnolipides), a change of hydrophobicity to ca. 30–40% was noted. As the final result, an increase in hydrocarbon biodegradation was observed.

Functional microbial community response to nutrient pulses by artificial groundwater recharge practice in surface soils and subsoils

Subsurface microorganisms are essential constituents of the soil purification processes associated with groundwater quality. In particular, soil enzyme activity determines the biodegradation of organic compounds passing through the soil profile. Transects from surface soil to a depth of 3.5 m were investigated for microbial and chemical soil characteristics at two groundwater recharge sites and one control site. The functional diversity of the microbial community was analyzed via the activity of eight enzymes. Acid phosphomonoesterase was dominant across sites and depths, followed by L-leucine aminopeptidase and beta-glucosidase. Structural [e.g. phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) pattern] and functional microbial diversities were linked to each other at the nonwatered site, whereas amendment with nutrients (DOC, NO(3)(-)) by flooding uncoupled this relationship. Microbial biomass did not differ between sites, whereas microbial respiration was the highest at the watered sites. Hence, excess nutrients available due to artificial groundwater recharge could not compensate for the limitation by others (e.g. phosphorus as assigned by acid phosphomonoesterase activity). Instead, at a similar microbial biomass, waste respiration via overflow metabolism occurred. In summary, ample supply of carbon by flooding led to a separation of decomposition and microbial growth, which may play an important role in regulating purification processes during groundwater recharge.

Application of advanced oxidation processes for TNT removal: A review

Nowadays, there are increasingly stringent regulations requiring drastic treatment of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) contaminated waters to generate treated waters which could be easily reused or released into the environment without any harmful effects. TNT is among the most highly suspected explosive compounds that interfere with groundwater system due to its high toxicity and low biodegradability. The present work is an overview of the literature on TNT removal from polluted waters and soils and, more particularly, its treatability by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Among the remediation technologies, AOPs constitute a promising technology for the treatment of wastewaters containing non-easily biodegradable organic compounds. Data concerning the degradation of TNT reported during the period 1990-2009 are evaluated in this review. Among the AOPs, the following techniques are successively debated: processes based on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)+UV, Fenton, photo-Fenton and Fenton-like processes), photocatalysis, processes based on ozone (O(3), O(3)+UV) and electrochemical processes. Kinetic constants related to TNT degradation and the different mechanistic degradation pathways are discussed. Possible future treatment strategies, such as, coupling AOP with biological treatment is also considered as a mean to improve TNT remediation efficiency and kinetic.

Organic matter biodegradation and metal behaviour in contaminated freshwater sediments

Purpose. The interaction of biodegradable organic matter with metals was studied in sediments of a highly contaminated river of Mexico. Design/methodology/approach. A six fraction speciation procedure was performed on surface sediments, before and after two weeks of microbial activity, to determine metal-sediment association modifications. Findings. Associations of Cd, Cu and Pb evolved toward less available forms. Fe showed an opposite behaviour. The redox conditions showed more impact than the biodegradability of organic compounds on the results. Research limitations/implications. Longer experiments may generate additional metal movements. Originality/value. The results should serve to improve water quality of multi-contaminated rivers.

Microbial methane production in deep aquifer associated with the accretionary prism in Southwest Japan

To identify the methanogenic pathways present in a deep aquifer associated with an accretionary prism in Southwest Japan, a series of geochemical and microbiological studies of natural gas and groundwater derived from a deep aquifer were performed. Stable carbon isotopic analysis of methane in the natural gas and dissolved inorganic carbon (mainly bicarbonate) in groundwater suggested that the methane was derived from both thermogenic and biogenic processes. Archaeal 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed the dominance of H(2)-using methanogens in the groundwater. Furthermore, the high potential of methane production by H(2)-using methanogens was shown in enrichments using groundwater amended with H(2) and CO(2). Bacterial 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that fermentative bacteria inhabited the deep aquifer. Anaerobic incubations using groundwater amended with organic substrates and bromoethanesulfonate (a methanogen inhibitor) suggested a high potential of H(2) and CO(2) generation by fermentative bacteria. To confirm whether or not methane is produced by a syntrophic consortium of H(2)-producing fermentative bacteria and H(2)-using methanogens, anaerobic incubations using the groundwater amended with organic substrates were performed. Consequently, H(2) accumulation and rapid methane production were observed in these enrichments incubated at 55 and 65 degrees C. Thus, our results suggested that past and ongoing syntrophic biodegradation of organic compounds by H(2)-producing fermentative bacteria and H(2)-using methanogens, as well as a thermogenic reaction, contributes to the significant methane reserves in the deep aquifer associated with the accretionary prism in Southwest Japan.

Nonylphenol mass transfer from field-aged sediments and subsequent biodegradation in reactors mimicking different river conditions

Sediments can function as secondary source for water pollution of aerobically biodegradable non-halogenated organic compounds, which are persistent in anaerobic sediments. The mass transfer of compounds from sediment to bulk water depends on hydraulic conditions. In this study, desorption, mass transfer and biodegradation are investigated under settled and resuspended sediment conditions for branched nonylphenol (NP), which was used as model compound for aerobically biodegradable and anaerobic persistent compounds. Continuous flow through reactor experiments were performed in duplicate with aged NP polluted sediment under sterile and non-sterile conditions to investigate the mass transfer and combined mass transfer and biodegradation. The mass transfer of NP from the sediment bed to the bulk water decreased from 5.1 ± 0.6 μg d–1 to a stable value of 0.3 ± 0.02 μg d–1. The desorbed NP in the non-sterile reactors was biodegraded in the first 20 days of the experiment. At the end of the settled sediment conditions, the biodegradation became very limited, and the mass transfer was comparable to the mass transfer under sterile conditions. Upon resuspension, the NP concentration in the bulk water increased instantaneously in all reactors with a factor of 100. This immediate, increased mass transfer of NP from the sediment was larger than the amount that can be biodegraded under optimal conditions. Under non-sterile conditions, a second increase in the mass transfer was observed. However, the amount of desorbing NP during this second increase in mass transfer can be biodegraded under optimal environmental conditions. NP desorbs continuously at low concentrations from the sediment bed into the bulk water, which can almost be completely biodegraded. Resuspension of NP-polluted sediment initially led to an increase in the desorbing NP concentrations and can be followed by a subsequent reduction of the concentrations due to biodegradation under environmental conditions where biodegradation of NP can occur.

Importance of Particulate Biodegradable Organic Compounds in Performance of Full‐scale Biological Phosphorus Removal System

In this study, biological treatment performances of two parallel treatment lines operating with and without primary sedimentation were investigated. The research was carried out in a large-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process. Influent and effluent of treatment lines were characterized continuously during the study. In addition, anaerobic anoxic and aerobic EBPR activities were investigated by batch tests using fresh activated sludge samples. All of the environmental and operational conditions of the treatment lines were statistically compared. Evaluation of effluent compositions indicated that EBPR performances of treatment lines were significantly different. Results of the research also indicated that settling characteristics of the activated sludge process could be improved significantly with increasing particulate biodegradable organic compound (pbCOD) loading rate. Batch test results revealed that anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic biochemical reaction rates of activated sludge cultivated on increased pbCOD loading rate were significantly higher compared to activated sludge cultivated on soluble substrate forms.