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Published on: September 13, 2022
Microbial ecosystems in compost and granular activated carbon biofilters
T S Webster1, J S Devinny, E M Torres
1Department of Civil Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|February 5, 1997
Summary
Compost and activated carbon biofilters effectively remove hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds in wastewater. Microbial communities adapted to declining pH, maintaining high removal efficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Wastewater treatment technologies
Background:
- Biofiltration is a key technology for treating air pollution.
- Wastewater treatment plants generate hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Sulfide oxidation in biofilters can lead to pH decline, potentially impacting microbial communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance of compost and granular activated carbon biofilters for H2S and VOC removal.
- To analyze the effects of declining pH on microbial growth, stress, and community structure in biofilters.
- To assess the resilience of microbial communities under challenging environmental conditions.
Main Methods:
- Operation of compost and granular activated carbon biofilters at a wastewater treatment plant.
- Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses to characterize microbial communities.
- Monitoring of H2S and VOC removal efficiencies and pH levels.
Main Results:
- Both biofilter types achieved high removal rates (>99% for H2S, >70% for VOCs).
- Microbial communities showed increased densities and signs of stress, dominated by gram-negative bacteria.
- Declining pH had minimal impact on the overall compound removal efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Compost and activated carbon biofilters are robust for simultaneous H2S and VOC removal.
- Microbial communities demonstrated acclimation and adaptation to low pH conditions.
- Biofiltration remains an effective method for managing H2S and VOC emissions from wastewater.
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