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Sulfide and methane production in sewer sediments.

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Sewer sediments are significant sources of sulfide and methane, with sulfide production rates exceeding those of sewer biofilms. These findings highlight the crucial role of sediments in sewer emissions and biological transformations.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Wastewater Engineering
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Sewer biofilms are known producers of sulfide and methane, especially in rising mains.
  • The biological activity and contribution of sewer sediments to these processes remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify sulfide and methane production by sewer sediments.
  • To investigate the spatial distribution and controlling factors of these processes within sediments.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory cultivation of intact sewer sediments using real wastewater.
  • Batch tests to measure gas production rates.
  • Microsensor and pore water analysis for chemical species.
  • Microbial profiling and mathematical modeling.

Main Results:

  • Sediments exhibited high sulfide production rates (9.20 ± 0.39 g S/m(2)·d), surpassing sewer biofilms.
  • Methane production rates (1.56 ± 0.14 g CH4/m(2)·d) were comparable to biofilms.
  • Sulfide production occurred near the surface, limited by sulfate penetration; methane production was deeper, influenced by organic carbon.

Conclusions:

  • Sewer sediments are significant contributors to sulfide and methane production in sewers.
  • Sediment processes must be considered in evaluations of sewer emissions.
  • Sulfide and methane production kinetics are dependent on sulfate and organic carbon concentrations.