Microbial adaptation to biodegrade toxic organic micro-pollutants in membrane bioreactor using different sludge sources

Bioresour Technol. 2014 Aug:165:50-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.04.024. Epub 2014 Apr 18.

Abstract

Biodegradation of toxic organic micro-pollutants in municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate by membrane bioreactor (MBR) was investigated. The MBR systems were seeded with different sludge sources, one was from a pilot-scale MBR system treating MSW leachate and the other was from an activated sludge sewage treatment plant. The biodegradation of BPA, 2,6-DTBP, BHT, DEP, DBP and DEHP, DCP and BBzP, by sludge from both reactors were found improved with time. However, enhanced biodegradation of micro-pollutants was observed in MBR operated under long sludge age condition. Bacterial population analyses determined by PCR-DGGE revealed the development of phenol and phthalate degrading bacteria consortium in MBR sludge during its operation.

Keywords: Bacterial community; Membrane bioreactor; Micro-pollutants; Microbial adaptation; PCR–DGGE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological*
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis
  • Bioreactors / microbiology*
  • Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Organic Chemicals / isolation & purification
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sewage / microbiology*
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / isolation & purification*
  • Water Purification / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Sewage
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical