Title: Phenol degradation and microbial characteristics in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors at ambient and mesophilic temperatures

Authors: Shuizhou Ke, Ming Zhang, Zhou Shi, Tong Zhang, Herbert H.P. Fang

Addresses: Department of Water Engineering and Science, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PRC. ' Department of Water Engineering and Science, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PRC. ' Department of Water Engineering and Science, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PRC. ' Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, PRC. ' Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, PRC

Abstract: A synthetic wastewater containing phenol as sole substrate was respectively treated at temperatures of 26±1°C and 37±1°C in 2.8 litre upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. At the two temperatures, pH 7.0–7.5, with a 1:1 effluent recycle ratio, phenol in wastewater was efficiently degraded in a UASB reactor. Microbial community analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that less shift in the microbial community occurred with the temperature changing. Phenol degradation in wastewater was recommended to select ambient temperature in UASB reactors. The optimal HRT was 12 to 16 hours corresponding to 6.0–4.5 g COD/(l.d) loading rate at ambient temperature in UASB reactors. The distribution of archaeal and bacterial populations in the UASB granular consortium was revealed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique.

Keywords: phenol degradation; anaerobic degradation; microbial community; UASB reactor; ambient temperature; mesophilic temperature; sludge blanket; UASB reactors; wastewater treatement; effluent recycling; pollution control; environmental pollution; denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.016899

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.32 No.1, pp.68 - 77

Published online: 28 Jan 2008 *

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