Anaerobic biodegradation of cyanide under methanogenic conditions

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5314464

Fallon, R D; Cooper, D A; Henson, M ^[1]; Speece, R ^[2]

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1. E.I. DuPont and Co., Inc., Wilmington, DE (USA)
2. Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (USA)

Upflow, anaerobic, fixed-bed, activated charcoal biotreatment columns capable of operating at free cyanide concentrations of {gt}100 mg liter{sup {minus}1} with a hydraulic retention time of {lt}48 h were developed. Methanogenesis was maintained under a variety of feed medium conditions which included ethanol, phenol, or methanol as the primary reduced carbon source. Under optimal conditions, {gt}70% of the inflow free cyanide was removed in the first 30% of the column height. Strongly complexed cyanides were resistant to removal. Ammonia was the nitrogen end product of cyanide transformation. In cell material removed from the charcoal columns, ({sup 14}C) bicarbonate was the major carbon end product of ({sup 14}C) cyanide transformation.

• OSTI ID: 5314464
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Vol. 57:6; 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.
CYANIDES
BIODEGRADATION
AMMONIA
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
ETHANOL
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
METHANOL
PHENOL
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ALCOHOLS
AROMATICS
BACTERIA
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology