Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by a marine fluidized-bed enrichment

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:479373

Melin, E S; Puhakka, J A ^[1]; Maennistoe, M ^[2]; Ferguson, J F ^[3]

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1. Tampere Univ. of Technology (Finland)
2. Helsinki Univ. of Technology (Finland)
3. Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering

Aerobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading bacteria from marine sediments were enriched and maintained in a fluidized-bed reactor (FBR). The FBR was continuously fed a mixture of naphthalene, biphenyl, 2-methylnaphthalene, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, and phenanthrene; and the effluent concentrations remained below 0.03 mg/L (detection limit) over a period of 6 months. In batch vial assays, the relative rates of PAH degradation were controlled by their solubilities and, in some cases, by their substitution patterns. The enrichment also degraded several other PAHs, including anthracene and pyrene. The results demonstrate that the predominant PAH constituents of coal-tar creosote can be degraded and that PAH-contaminated saline waters can be remediated by the marine enrichment.

• Sponsoring Organization: Suomen Akatemja, Helsinki (Finland); Office of Naval Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 479373
• Report Number(s): CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-010-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
BIODEGRADATION
FLUIDIZED BEDS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SEAWATER
SEDIMENTS