Measuring and Modelling VOC Biotransformation Rates

• Published in: Environmental technology 2002-05, Vol.23 (5), p.547-551
• Main Authors: Kemp, J., Zytner, R. G., Sterne, L., Rittmann, B. E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acclimation; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biotechnology; Biotransformation; Chlorination; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General purification processes; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Kinetics; Mathematical models; modelling; Models, Theoretical; Organic Chemicals - metabolism; Organic compounds; Pilot plants; Pollution; VOCs; Volatilization; Waste Disposal, Fluid; wastewater; Wastewaters; Water Pollutants - metabolism; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0959-3330; 1479-487X
• DOI: 10.1080/09593332308618389

A new protocol was used to determine biotransformation rate coefficients for volatile organic compounds in activated sludge systems. The values obtained from the protocol were compared to biotransformation rates obtained from a pilot plant. It was seen that biotransformation rates were easier to obtain from the protocol. Observations also showed that acclimation of the microorganisms to the volatile organic compounds did not change the biotransformation rates. The experimental conditions were then modelled using TOXCHEM + , a mechanistic model, to predict volatile organic compound behaviour. The TOXCHEM + predictions, using system default biotransformation rates, compared favourably with the low biotransformation rates measured by the protocol for bromoform and the chlorinated compounds, while under predicting the biotransformation rates for the non-chlorinated volatile organic compounds.