Objective: To study the effects of cell immobilization on sulfide degradation ability and microbial community structure.
Methods: Sulfide oxidizing microbiota was immobilized by entrapment on polyvinyl alcoholsodium alginate-activated carbon carrier. Sulfide degradation ability of the immobilized and free sulfide oxidizing microbiota was compared in sulfide-rich minimal medium. PCR-DGGE technique was used to reveal the effects of immobilization on microbial community structure.
Results: The maximum sulfide degradation ability of the sulfide oxidizing microbiota in 12 h decreased from 1000 to 600 mg/L after immobilization. Community structure of the sulfide oxidizing microbiota changed after immobilization, but Catenococcus thiocycli was little affected. Thioclava pacifica was even strengthened in the microbiota after immobilization and sulfide degrading.
Conclusion: In conclusion, limited by substrate diffusion and transfer in carrier material, sulfide degradation ability of the sulfide oxidizing microbiota under high sulfide concentration decreased after immobilization. Also, immobilization could affect the microbial community structure of sulfide oxidizing microbiota due to different adaptation ability to the microenvironment and adhesion ability to the carrier material.