Determination of biodegradability kinetics of RCRA compounds using respirometry for structure-activity relationships
Electrolytic respirometry is attaining prominence in biodegradation studies and is becoming one of the more suitable experimental methods for measuring the biodegradability and the kinetics of biodegradation of toxic organic compounds by the sewage, sludge, and soil microbiota and for determining substrate inhibitory effects to microorganisms in wastewater treatment systems. The purpose of the study was to obtain information on biological treatability of the benzene, phenol, phthalate, ketone organics and of the Superfund CERCLA organics bearing wastes in wastewater treatment systems which will support the development of an EPA technical guidance document on the discharge of the above organics to POTWs. The paper discusses the experimental design and procedural steps for the respirometric biodegradation and toxicity testing approach for individual organics or specific industrial wastes at different concentration levels in a mineral salts medium. A developed multi-level protocol is presented for determination of the biodegradability, microbial acclimation to toxic substrates and first order kinetic parameters of biodegradation for estimation of the Monod kinetic parameter of toxic organic compounds, in order to correlate the extent and rate of biodegradation with a predictive model based on chemical properties and molecular structure of these compounds. Respirometric biodegradation/inhibition and biokinetic data are provided for representative RCRA alkyl benzene and ketone organics.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH (USA). Risk Reduction Engineering Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 6446032
- Report Number(s):
- PB-90-263211/XAB; EPA-600/D-90/136
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BENZENE
BIODEGRADATION
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
DECONTAMINATION
KETONES
PHENOL
PHTHALATES
REMEDIAL ACTION
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SOILS
SUPERFUND
TOXIC MATERIALS
WASTE WATER
AROMATICS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LAWS
LIQUID WASTES
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
POLLUTION LAWS
SEWAGE
SLUDGES
WASTES
WATER
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology