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Kinetics of multiple phenolic compounds degradation with a mixed culture in a continuous‐flow reactor
Author(s) -
Bae BumHan,
Autenrieth Robin L.,
Bonner James S.
Publication year - 1995
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 - 10.2175/106143095x131376
Subject(s) - pentachlorophenol , phenol , biodegradation , chemistry , substrate (aquarium) , kinetics , degradation (telecommunications) , bioreactor , bacterial growth , environmental chemistry , hydraulic retention time , chromatography , nuclear chemistry , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , wastewater , bacteria , environmental science , biology , ecology , telecommunications , physics , genetics , quantum mechanics , computer science
A multiple substrate kinetic model was tested to predict the growth of a mixed culture receiving multiple phenolic compounds. Kinetic constants of the model were estimated from the results of initial rate experiments with the mixed culture obtained from a continuous‐flow reactor (CFR) at steady state. The suggested model was useful to predict the interactions of substrates on the growth of a mixed culture. In the long‐term study using three CFRs with internal cell recycle, 748 to 810 mg/L of influent phenol were completely degraded (hydraulic retention time = 36 hours). The addition of dichlorophenol (DCP) and/or pentachlorophenol (PCP) into the phenol feed caused system fluctuation. In a reactor fed phenol and DCP, both compounds were consumed completely, whereas the addition of PCP resulted in incomplete biodegradation of all phenolic compounds. However, the presence of DCP in a feed increased the removal of PCP up to 43%. The growth of the mixed culture on dual‐ and triple‐phenolic compounds was predicted using the model. The long‐term exposure of the mixed culture to DCP and/or PCP resulted in decreased maximum growth rates and increased substrate inhibition, perhaps caused by a loss in bacterial species diversity in the mixed culture.