Biodegradation of catechol (2-hydroxy phenol) bearing wastewater in an UASB reactor

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2007-10, Vol.69 (5), p.816-824
• Main Authors: Subramanyam, R., Mishra, I.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaerobiosis; Applied sciences; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Bioreactors - microbiology; Biotechnology; Catechol; Catechols - chemistry; Cosubstrate; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose; Glucose - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Industrial wastewaters; Pollution; Sewage - microbiology; Temperature shock; UASB reactor; Wastewaters; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Purification - instrumentation; Water Purification - methods; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.04.064

The present study deals with the biodegradation of catechol through co-metabolism with glucose in aqueous solution as primary substrate in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. Batch studies indicated that the 1000 mg l −1 glucose concentration was sufficient to cometabolize and degrade catechol in an aqueous solution up to a concentration of 1000 mg l −1. The reactor operated at 35 ± 2 °C, and at a constant hydraulic retention time of 8 h with a gradual stepwise increase in catechol concentration from 100 to 1000 mg l −1 along with glucose as a cosubstrate. The results showed that the catechol was successfully mineralized in an UASB reactor in which microbial granulation was achieved with only glucose as the substrate. The reactor showed ⩾95% COD removal efficiency with 500–1000 mg l −1catechol concentration in the feed and a glucose concentration of 1500 mg l −1 as a cosubstrate. Similar efficiency was obtained at a constant catechol concentration of 1000 mg l −1 with 500–1000 mg l −1 glucose concentration. Once the reactor got acclimatized with catechol, higher concentrations of catechol can be mineralized with a minimum amount of glucose as the cosubstrate without affecting the performance of the UASB reactor.