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Methanotrophic TCE biodegradation in a multi-stage bioreactor

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
; ; ;  [1]; ; ; ;  [2]
  1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
A two-stage bioreactor system was continuously fed a solution of TCE (concentrations ranging between 0.2 and 20 mg L{sup -1}) at 2 mL min{sup -1}; the system utilized a mutant (PP358) of the methane oxidizing bacterium Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b for the fortuitous cooxidation of TCE by the enzyme-soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO). A methane-free environment was maintained in the TCE treatment portion of the reactor (plug-flow columns), minimizing the effects of competitive inhibition between TCE and methane for the sMMO. The reactor was operated in two separate flow configurations, single-pass and cross-flow, with TCE removal percentages exceeding 78% (for a TCE feed concentration of 20 mg L{sup -1}) and 93% (for a TCE feed concentration of 10 mg L{sup -1}), respectively. A r{sub max} of 109.4 mg of TCE (g of VS){sup -1} d{sup -1} for a TCE feed concentration of 20 mg L{sup -1} was obtained, suggesting that high rates of degradation occurred within the reactor. TCE-induced toxicity effects occurred at TCE feed concentrations of 10 mg L{sup -1} and greater, resulting in declines of the biomass concentrations and the enzyme activities. A model describing the rate of TCE degradation in the plug-flow columns was proposed by Alvarez-Cohen et al. and was modified to incorporate the suboptimal activities of sMMO. 29 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
91244
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 29; ISSN 0013-936X; ISSN ESTHAG
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English