Continuous aerobic biodegradation of 4-NP, 3-NP and 2-NP mixture was monitored in a packed bed reactor in simulated wastewater with a mixed microbial culture immobilized on expanded slate. Substrate loading was varied by increasing the concentration of one isomer while keeping the other two at constant levels, all at a constant residence time of 60 min. At large concentrations, all of the individual NP isomers suppressed the degradation rates of the other isomers at steady state; however, the observed patterns and threshold concentrations were different for all three substrates. As a result, conditions were determined for stable and efficient removal of NP mixtures. Changes of the biofilm composition during a long-term operation were identified.
Keywords: Biofilm composition; nitrophenol mixtures; packed bed reactor; wastewater treatment.