Evaluation of Biodegradation Potential of Carbon Tetrachloride and Chlorophenols under Acidogenic Condition
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 3
Abstract
Biodegradability of chlorinated aliphatic (carbon tetrachloride) and aromatic (chlorophenol) compounds under acidogenic condition was investigated at pH of 5.0 to 5.5. Batch tests were used to evaluate biodegradability, adsorption capacity, and inhibitory effects of the chlorinated compounds on the fermentative microbial consortium. The biodegradability of carbon tetrachloride differed from that of the chlorophenols tested. Carbon tetrachloride was degraded to dichloromethane, and its adsorption onto the biomass was minimal. Inhibition of the acidogenic process was not observed for carbon tetrachloride at . Chlorophenols (penta, tri, di, and mono) were not degraded at all, even after addition of vitamin supplements, increased incubation time, and increased primary to secondary substrate ratio. Chlorophenol removed from the aqueous phase by adsorption can be recovered from the acidogenic sludge. Pentachlorophenol was inhibitory to the acidogenic culture, whereas 2-chlorophenol was not. Microbial community analysis revealed the bacteria therein were primarily rumen and enteric bacteria. The results showed that it is possible to dechlorinate at least an aliphatic chlorinated compound under acidogenic conditions.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank Ee Hong and Wai Kuan for their assistance in the experimentation. The writers would also like to thank Dr. Liu Wen-Tso and his team for the advice and help rendered in microbial community profiling. Last, we also extend our appreciation to the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 3 • March 2008
Pages: 177 - 183
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 7, 2007
Accepted: Aug 3, 2007
Published online: Mar 1, 2008
Published in print: Mar 2008
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