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Photooxidative Degradation of Ligninsulfonate to Substrates Enhancing Microbial Growth
Author(s) -
Rockhill R. C.,
Park J. E.,
Klein D. A.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1972.00472425000100030025x
Subject(s) - photodissociation , substrate (aquarium) , degradation (telecommunications) , bacterial growth , chemistry , microbial biodegradation , carbon fibers , environmental chemistry , microorganism , photochemistry , bacteria , materials science , ecology , biology , telecommunications , genetics , composite number , computer science , composite material
Photolysis was evaluated as a procedure by which a recalcitrant polymer could be modified to improve biological availability. Ligninsulfonate was used as a model substrate, and Aspergillus growth responses measured by fungal dry weight in relation to substrate carbon before and after growth. Ligninsulfonate solutions with initial pH values of 3, 7, and 12 were irradiated, and maximum growth response found to occur where decoloration was achieved. The photolysis time required for decoloration increased with pH. Approximately 50% of the total carbon was utilized in all cases at the point of maximum microbial growth response. Photolysis at all exposure times altered the substrate in such a way as to increase microbial response and, therefore, appears to be an effective method for treating ligninsulfonate to increase microbial degradation.