Interactions of methanogens and denitrifiers in degradation of phenols

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Journal of Environmental Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1999)125:1(57)· OSTI ID:318690

Fang, H H.P. ^[1]; Zhou, G M ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
2. Tongji Univ., Shanghai (China). National Engineering Research Center for Urban Pollution Control

Experiments were conducted at 37 C in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating wastewater containing phenol, m-cresol, and nitrate at various concentrations. Results show that anaerobic sludge was able to conduct denitrification without much acclimation. Denitrifiers outcompeted methanogens for substrates for carbon and electron supplies. They were able to use phenol and m-cresol as substrate without a carbohydrate cosubstrate. Denitrifying 1 g of NO{sub 3}{sup {minus}}-N ratios greater than 3.34. At the ratio of 5.23, over 98% of phenol but only 60% of m-cresol were degraded jointly by denitrifiers and methanogens with 1 day of hydraulic retention. At ratios less than 3.34, methanogenesis ceased to take place and denitrification became incomplete because of insufficient supply of substrate. Batch tests further confirmed that degradation of m-cresol was enhanced not only by the presence of nitrate, but also by the presence of either sucrose or phenol as cosubstrate.

• OSTI ID: 318690
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 125; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
CRESOLS
DENITRIFICATION
GROUND WATER
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
NITRATES
PHENOL
REMEDIAL ACTION
SURFACE WATERS
WASTE WATER