Biodegradation of /sup 14/C-phenol by activated sludge

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974 · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7362090

Alexander, H C; Blanchard, F A; Takahashi, I T

The ultimate biodegradation of phenol by activated sludge was confirmed by collecting and measuring /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ released from a /sup 14/C-labeled phenol. Infrared detection established that the evolved material was CO/sub 2/. In 24 hours, 69.5 percent of the supplied compound was converted to /sup 14/CO/sub 2/; 29.5 percent was found in the sludge solids. Less than 1 percent remained in solution. An initial (0-3 hr) rapid degradation phase proceeded at a rate of 0.2 mg /sup 14/C-phenol per gram volatile solids per minute. A subsequent (3-24 hr) slower rate of 0.01 was probably an endogenous rate. This procedure can be a useful tool in evaluating the biodegradability of an organic compound. Where needed, sensitivity is available for observing biodegradation of compounds whose degradation rate is several thousand times slower than that of this phenol.

• Research Organization: Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI
• OSTI ID: 7362090
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Journal Volume: 19:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010800* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS
AROMATICS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIODEGRADATION
CARBON 14
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIGHT NUCLEI
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHENOL
PHENOLS
PROCESSING
RADIOISOTOPES
TOXICITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES