Integrated anaerobic‐aerobic process for the biodegradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1992

Abstract

An integrated anaerobic‐aerobic process for the complete mineralization of 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (used in this work as the model toxic halogenated aromatic compound to degrade) was successfully tested and operated. The sludge obtained from the anaerobic digester of a commercial treatment plant was used to obtain an anaerobic consortium capable of partially dechlorinating 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (2,4,6‐TCP). The clarified and sterilized effluent from the same anaerobic digester was used as the medium for the anaerobic consortium. During the anaerobic process 2,4,6‐TCP was first dechlorinated to 2,4‐dichlorophenol and then to 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP). Stoichiometric amounts of 4‐CP were recovered. Similar results were obtained when the anaerobic microorganisms were immobilized on Manville R‐635 silica beads. After immobilization, the consortium was able to dechlorinate 150 μM of 2,4,6‐TCP in four days. Pseudomonas Glathei and an indigenous culture obtained from same sludge used to produce the anaerobic enrichment culture were shown to be able to degrade the 4‐CP produced from the anaerobic dechlorination of 2,4,6‐TCP. However, for the aerobic 4‐CP mineralization to occur the medium had to be buffered with phosphate, since high pH would inhibit the aerobic bacterial activity. It is expected that the proposed approach will be used to treat recalcitrant halogenated compounds that are not amenable to conventional biological treatment. Copyright © 1992 American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Identifier

0026866517 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Environmental Progress

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.670110217

e-ISSN

15475921

ISSN

02784491

First Page

113

Last Page

122

Issue

2

Volume

11

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