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Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
Trichloroethylene degradation in a coupled anaerobic/aerobic reactor oxygenated using hydrogen peroxide
B Tartakovsky1, M F Manuel, S R Guiot
1Biotechnology Research Institute, NRC, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4P 2A2.
Abstract:
In this work, trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation under combined anaerobic-aerobic conditions was studied in an ethanol-fed biofilm reactor oxygenated using hydrogen peroxide. The reactor was inoculated with a biomass originating from an anaerobic digestor. Granulated peat was added to the reactor as a substratum for biofilm development. Extensive characterization of reactor populations using activity tests and PCR analysis revealed the development of a mutualistic consortium, particularly methanotrophic and methanogenic microorganisms. This consortium was shown to degrade TCE by a combination of reductive and oxidative pathways. A near complete degradation of TCE at a load of 18 mg L(R)(-1) day(-1) was evidenced by a stoichiometric release of inorganic chloride.
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