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Impact of microbial entrapment on sulfate-reducing bacteria performance and stability with temperature disturbances
Xinting Yin1, Nicholas Gurieff2, Adrian Oehmen1
1School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
Abstract:
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) can treat Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD); however, process stability is challenging. This study evaluated microbial entrapment technology as an alternative solution by entrapping SRB in a porous hydrogel matrix, creating a stable microenvironment, while allowing diffusion of nutrients and gases. Two sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated over 210 days: one with entrapped SRB (ESRB) and the other with non-entrapped SRB. The ESRB system exhibited greater sulfate reduction efficiency and operational resilience. It maintained rates of 0.71 ± 0.06 and 0.86 ± 0.05 g SO42-/L/day during two 25-day operational periods with temperature drops from 24 °C to 15 °C. The non-entrapped SRB system dropped to 0.00 ± 0.00 and 0.12 ± 0.03 g SO42-/L/day, respectively. Microbial community analysis revealed an increased proportion of SRB in the ESRB system. Compression tests and OD600 confirmed bead integrity and biomass retention. This study supports the applicability of ESRB for AMD treatment.
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