Testing and classification methods for the biodegradabilities of organic compounds under anaerobic conditions

Biodegradability is one of the most important characteristics of an organic compound for predicting its fate and life in the environment and its application in biological wastewater treatment. But there is no general testing method for biodegradability under anaerobic conditions. The biodegradabilities of thirteen principal organic compounds was investigated in a batch test using vials under various conditions, such as the concentration of an organic compound, the cultivation method and the concentration of anaerobic bacteria for seeding. Two test methods in the standard concentration and the low concentration were developed. A new method to classify the biodegradabilities of organic compounds into thirteen ranks was proposed by considering inhibition, complete biodegradation and first step biodegradation.