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Biodegradability of Nonionic Surfactant Used in the Remediation of Groundwaters Polluted with PCE
Author(s) -
BretónDeval Luz,
RiosLeal Elvira,
PoggiVaraldo Héctor M.,
PonceNoyola Teresa
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143016x14733681695564
Subject(s) - denitrifying bacteria , bioreactor , environmental remediation , biodegradation , chemistry , pulmonary surfactant , bioremediation , effluent , degradation (telecommunications) , aeration , environmental chemistry , cometabolism , pulp and paper industry , waste management , environmental engineering , denitrification , environmental science , contamination , organic chemistry , biology , ecology , telecommunications , biochemistry , computer science , nitrogen , engineering
The objective of this work was to evaluate the degradation of the nonionic surfactant Tween 80 by a PCE‐degrading consortium anchored in bioparticles of fluidized bed bioreactors used in onsite remediation. Batch lab‐scale bioreactors were set with dominant denitrifying (DN), methanogenic (M), and aerobic (Ab) metabolisms. Tween 80 at 100 mg/L was the sole source of carbon and energy. Denitrifying bioreactors had the highest surfactant removal (70%). Tween removals in M and Ab bioreactors were 53 and 37%, respectively. Removals of organic matter (COD) closely followed the efficiencies reported for Tween. This strongly suggested that degradation of Tween 80 occurred. Positive consequences of Tween degradation in remediation are first, the surfactant will not become an environmental/health liability by remaining as a recalcitrant or toxic substance in aquifers or in treated effluents; and second, savings on aeration could be achieved by conducting Tween 80 degradation in anaerobic conditions, either DN or M.