ISSN:
1432-0614
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Summary Anaerobic phenol degrading consortia were selected in sewage sludge and culture conditions were improved to allow maximum degradation rates of 0.9 g/l·d. Phenol had to be added in two portions of 0.45 g/l at intervals of 12 h to keep the fermentation at stable conditions. From U-14C-phenol little benzoate and acetate were formed as intermediates under a N2:CO2 gas phase. Final products were methane and CO2. When methanogenesis was inhibited by BESA, less labeled methane and CO2 were formed and labeled acetate remained undegraded. Turnover rates of phenol were significantly reduced in the presence of a H2:CO2 gas atmosphere and benzoate was formed from phenol and CO2. Acetate did not accumulate remarkably. After the H2:CO2 was converted to methane or was exchanged by N2:CO2 the accumulated benzoate was further degraded to methane and CO2. Elevated pools of acetate in sewage sludge led also to a reduction of the phenol degradation rates and presumably to an increased concentration of benzoate. In fresh sewage sludge benzoate degradation proceeds immediately, while the degradation of phenol starts only after a lag-phase of 3–10 days.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00252552
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