In-vessel biodegradation of selected polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons with simulated municipal solid waste

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5428212

Joyce, J F

Cometabolic degradation of five PAHs was investigated using lab scale units charged with a simulated municipal solid waste. The objective of this research was to determine the extent and rate of biodegradation of five PAHs in compost: fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene, and benz[a]anthracene. Known amounts of the PAHs were introduced to this surrogate waste matrix and their removal from the bioreactor vessels was monitored over a two month time period. Sampling was conducted every sixth day for a total of ten sampling events. At each sampling three replicates and a control were taken. Analysis was conducted through gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The results from the laboratory were subjected to mathematical scrutiny and kinetic analysis. It was determined that the rate of biodegradation of the PAHs was pseudo first-order. There were two distinct physical phases of this experiment, the active composting (days 0-30), and the curing phase (days 30-60), Most of the biodegradation occurred during the first part of the active composting phase (days 1-15). Very scant removal of the PAHs from the waste occurred during the curing phase. Fluorene was determined to be too volatile for this type of bioremediation process and benz[a]anthracene was somewhat refractory. Anthracene, phenanthrene, and pyrene exhibited active biodegradation. Their rate of biodegradation was inversely proportional in regards to the number of aromatic rings, the molecular weight, the boiling point and the organic carbon partitioning coefficient. The media specific half-lives for the composting phase were: anthracene 4.3 days, phenanthrene 6.3 days, pyrene 9.9 days, and benz[a]anthracene 34.7 days. During days 0-15, the media specific half-lives were: anthracene 3.3 days, phenanthrene 3.9 days, and pyrene 6.3 days. During days 15-30, the media specific half-lives were: anthracene 8.7 days, phenanthrene 34.7 days, and pyrene 13.8 days.

• Research Organization: Polytechnic Univ., Brooklyn, NY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5428212
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
550500* -- Metabolism
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANTHRACENE
AROMATICS
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPOST
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DECOMPOSITION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUORENE
HYDROCARBONS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
PHENANTHRENE
PYRENE
SOLID WASTES
WASTES