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Effect of heavy metals on the methanogenic activity of starch-degrading granules

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Summary

Heavy metals in electroplating effluent inhibited specific methanogenic activity (SMA) of anaerobic starch-degrading granules. The SMA of granules on the degradation of starch were reduced by 50% when each gram of biomass was in contact individually with 105 mg of zinc, 120 mg of nickel, 180 mg of copper, 310 mg of chromium, or >400 mg of cadmium. Granules had higher toxicity-resistance than flocculent sludge, due to their layered structure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering Research Centre Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

    Herbert H. P. Fang & H. H. Hui

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  1. Herbert H. P. Fang
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  2. H. H. Hui
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Fang, H.H.P., Hui, H.H. Effect of heavy metals on the methanogenic activity of starch-degrading granules. Biotechnol Lett 16, 1091–1096 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01022409

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01022409

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