Anaerobic biodegradation of phenolic compounds in digested sludge

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5164267

Boyd, S A; Shelton, D R; Berry, D; Tiedje, J M

The authors examined the anaerobic degradation of phenol and the ortho, meta, and para isomers of chlorophenol, methoxyphenol, methylphenol (cresol),and nitrophenol in anaerobic sewage sludge diluted to 10% in a mineral salts medium. Of the 12 monosubstituted phenols studied, only p-chlorophenol and o-cresol were not significantly degraded during an 8-week incubation period. The phenol compounds degraded and the time required for complete substrate disappearance (in weeks) were: phenol (2), o-chlorophenol (3), m-chlorophenol (7), o-methoxyphenol (2), m- and p-methoxyphenol (1), m-cresol (7), p-cresol (3), and o-, m-, and p-nitrophenol (1). Complete mineralization of phenol, o-chlorophenol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-nitrophenol, p-nitrophenol, and o-, m-, and p-methoxyphenol was observed. In general, the presence of Cl and NO/sub 2/ groups on phenols inhibited methane production. Elimination or transformation of these substituents was accompanied by increased methane production. o-Chlorophenol was metabolized to phenol, which indicated that dechlorination was the initial degradation step. The methoxyphenols were transformed to the corresponding dihydroxybenzene compounds, which were subsequently mineralized. (Refs. 14).

• Research Organization: Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824
• OSTI ID: 5164267
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 46:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
AROMATICS
BIOCONVERSION
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DIGESTION
GAS YIELDS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INHIBITION
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
YIELDS