Repository logo
 
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

4-Chlorophenol degradation by a bacterial consortium: development of a granular activated carbon biofilm reactor

Use this identifier to reference this record.
Name:Description:Size:Format: 
19694925.pdf321.39 KBAdobe PDF Download

Advisor(s)

Abstract(s)

A bacterial consortium that can degrade chloro- and nitrophenols has been isolated from the rhizosphere of Phragmitis communis. Degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) by a consortium attached to granular activated carbon (GAC) in a biofilm reactor was evaluated during both open and closed modes of operation. During the operation of the biofilm reactor, 4-CP was not detected in the column effluent, being either adsorbed to the GAC or biodegraded by the consortium. When 4-CP at 100 mg l−1 was fed to the column in open mode operation (20 mg g−1 GAC total supply), up to 27% was immediately available for biodegradation, the rest being adsorbed to the GAC. Biodegradation continued after the system was returned to closed mode operation, indicating that GAC bound 4-CP became available to the consortium. Biofilm batch cultures supplied with 10–216 mg 4-CP g−1 GAC suggested that a residual fraction of GAC-bound 4-CP was biologically unavailable. The consortium was able to metabolise 4-CP after perturbations by the addition of chromium (Cr VI) at 1–5 mg l−1 and nitrate at concentrations up to 400 mg l−1. The development of the biofilm structure was analysed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) techniques. CLSM revealed a heterogeneous structure with a network of channels throughout the biofilm, partially occupied by microbial exopolymer structures.

Description

Keywords

Pedagogical Context

Citation

CALDEIRA, M... [et al.] - 4-Chlorophenol degradation by a bacterial consortium: development of a granular activated carbon biofilm reactor. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. ISSN 1432-0614. Vol.52, n.º 5 (1999), p. 722-729

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue