Effect of fluoride on nitrification of a concentrated industrial waste

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5128074

Clarkson, W W; Collins, A G; Sheehan, P L ^[1]

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1. Clarkson Univ., Potsdam NY (USA)

The potential for biological nitrification of an industrial waste from semiconductor manufacturing containing 4,000 mg of ammonia N (NH{sub 4}{sup +}-N) and 10,000 mg of fluoride per liter was investigated. Ammonium sulfate and sodium fluoride were tested in various combinations of 100 to 2,000 mg of NH{sub 4}{sup +}-N per liter and 0 to 5,000 mg of F{sup {minus}} per liter in suspended-growth stirred-tank reactors containing enriched cultures of nitrifying bacteria from a municipal sewage treatment plant. The stirred-tank reactors were fed once per day at a constant hydraulic retention period and cell retention time of 10 days. Temperature was 23{degree}C, and pH was 7.0 to 7.5. Clarified secondary effluent was used to make up feeds and to provide minor nutrients. Steady-state data, confirmed by mass balances, were obtained after five to six retention periods. In the absence of fluoride, nitrification efficiency was near 100% for up to 500 mg of NH{sub 4}{sup +}-N per liter. The influence of fluoride was studied at a low ammonia concentration (100 mg/liter) and exerted no significant effect on nitrification at concentrations of up to 200 mg/liter. Maximum effect of fluoride was reached at 800 mg of F{sup {minus}} per liter, and no greater inhibition was observed for up to 5,000 mg of F{sup {minus}} per liter. At the highest concentrations studied, ion pairing of ammonium and fluoride may exert a significant effect on kinetic coefficients. Kinetic analyses showed maximum specific substrate removal rates (q{sub max}) of NH{sub 4}{sup +}-N to be about 2.3 mg of N per mg of volatile suspended solids per day in the absence of fluoride and 0.85 mg of N per mg of volatile suspended solids per day in the presence of fluoride. The form of inhibition due to the presence of fluoride was shown to be not competitive, conforming to a mixed inhibition model.

• OSTI ID: 5128074
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA), Vol. 55:1; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FLUORIDES
TOXICITY
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
NITRIFICATION
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
BACTERIA
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MICROORGANISMS
WASTES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)