Influence of microbial biomass on the biodegradability of organic compounds
The influence of different types of inocula as well as the amount of inoculum (microbial biomass) on the biodegradation pattern of acetate, 4-nitrophenol, and the three methoxyaniline isomers was investigated in the Modified OECD test and a NPR guideline. Using sediment of the river Rhine as inoculum 4-nitrophenol could not be degraded, while an inoculum from garden soil gave only 60% degradation in the OECD test. Effluent of an activated sludge plant however was able to degrade 4-nitrophenol at a concentration of 19 mg/l in the OECD test completely. Testing the methoxyanilines for biodegradability it was found that at a low inoculum level (OECD protocol) no degradation of the three compounds occurred. Using activated sludge as inoculum 3- and 4-methoxyaniline could be degraded for 60% respectively completely while 2-methoxyaniline was still refractory to degradation. Measuring the microbial biomass by means of ATP during biodegradation strongly suggested that the microbial flora which rapidly metabolize acetate is quite another microflora than the microflora responsible for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. of Public Health and Environmental Hygiene, Leidschendam, Netherlands
- OSTI ID:
- 5766367
- Journal Information:
- Chemosphere; (United States), Vol. 13:7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ACETATES
BIODEGRADATION
AMINES
NITROPHENOL
ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS
ATP
BIOMASS
ISOMERS
MICROORGANISMS
RHINE RIVER
SAMPLING
SEDIMENTS
SEWAGE SLUDGE
AROMATICS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
NITRO COMPOUNDS
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
PROCESSING
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RIVERS
SEWAGE
SLUDGES
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)