Dynamics of a microbial community exposed to several concentrations of 2-chlorophenol in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor.

The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge on the dynamic of the microbial community involved in anaerobic degradation of different concentrations of 2-chlorophenol (2CP, from 28 to 196 mg 2CP-C/L) and a mixture of 2CP and phenol (from 28 to 196 mg phenol-C/L) and its relationship with the respiratory process in two anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBR). The dynamic of the microbial community was evaluated by denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and ecological indices (S and J indices). The respiratory process was evaluated by means of substrate consumption efficiency, biogas yield, and specific consumption rates as response variables. The high consumption efficiency (90%) and the constant biogas yields obtained at concentrations up to 140 mg C/L may be related with the evenness of microbial populations (J index=0.97±0.2) present in both reactors. Pseudomonas genus was present in all concentrations tested, suggesting a possible relationship with the dehalogenation observed in both reactors. The decrease in specific consumption rate and biogas yield as well as the accumulation of phenol and volatile fatty acids observed in both reactors at 196 mg 2CP-C/L might be associated with the disappearance of the bands related to Caulobacter and Bacillus. At these conditions, the disappearance of fermentative or acetogenic bacteria resulted in reduction of substrates required to carry out methanogenesis, which eventually might cause the declination in methanogenic populations present in the reactors.

p-Cresol mineralization and bacterial population dynamics in a nitrifying sequential batch reactor.

The ability of a nitrifying sludge to oxidize p-cresol was evaluated in a sequential batch reactor (SBR). p-Cresol was first transformed to p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzoate, which were later mineralized. The specific rates of p-cresol consumption increased throughout the cycles. The bacterial population dynamics were monitored by using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing of DGGE fragments. The ability of the sludge to consume p-cresol and intermediates might be related to the presence of species such as Variovorax paradoxus and Thauera mechernichensis. p-Cresol (25 to 200mgC/L) did not affect the nitrifying SBR performance (ammonium consumption efficiency and nitrate production yield were close to 100% and 1, respectively). This may be related to the high stability observed in the nitrifying communities. It was shown that a nitrifying SBR may be a good alternative to eliminate simultaneously ammonium and p-cresol, maintaining stable the respiratory process as the bacterial community.

Biodegradation of 2-chlorophenol (2CP) in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR).

The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge about anaerobic digestion of 2-chlorophenol (2CP) in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR). Two reactors were set up (ASBR(A) and ASBR(B)). The ASBR(A) was fed with 2-chlorophenol (28-196 mg 2CP-C/L) and no other exogenous electron donor. The ASBR(B) was fed with a mixture of 2CP (28-196 mg 2CP-C/L) and phenol (28-196 mg phenol-C/L) as an electron donor. The process evaluation was conducted by three means: first by substrate consumption efficiency (E(2CP)), second, by biogas yield (Y(biogas-C/2CP-C)) and third, by the specific consumption rates (q(2CP)) as response variables. The 2CP consumption efficiency (90 ± 0.4%) was not influenced by the increase in the concentrations tested. In both reactors ASBR(A) and ASBR(B), both concentration as well as speed increased. Concentration increased from 28 to 114 mg 2CP-C/L. The specific consumption rate (q(2CP)) values were fivefold higher. However, a decrease of 37% was observed at 140 mg 2CP-C/L and one of 72% at 196 mg 2CP-C/L. The biogas yields (0.80 ± 0.06) remained stable in both reactors. In both reactors the biogas yield decreased to 78 ± 3% at 196 mg 2CP-C/L. We might assume this decrease was due to the accumulation of VFA. Finally, poor sludge settleability was determined only in the SBR(B) reactor at 140 and 196 mg 2CP-C/L. An increase was observed in both SVI ≤ 140 ± 5 mL/g and over exopolymeric protein ≤120 mg EP/L.

Methanization and mineralization of 2-chlorophenol by anaerobic digestion.

The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge about 2-Chlorophenol (2CP) mineralization and methanization in batch culture. This work was focused on evaluating the effect of: (i) the use of sludge with different periods of previous contact to 2CP, (ii) the electron donor addition in stoichiometric relation with 2CP and (iii) the presence of different initial oxygen concentrations. When compared with the control, 50 and 80 days of previous contact to 2CP resulted in a lag phase reduction of 57% and an increase in 2CP specific consumption rate (q(2CP)) of 114%. These results were obtained with no addition of an external electron donor. When acetate was used as an electron donor its consumption resulted independently of 2CP consumption. No lag phase and increase of 46% in q(2CP) was observed when phenol was used as an electron donor. In the third part when sludge without previous contact to 2CP was used, it was found that consumption efficiency (E(2CP)) and q(2CP) values did not increase in the presence of different oxygen concentrations. However, at the highest oxygen concentration, CH(4) yield (Y(CH(4))(-C/2CP-C)) and phenol yield (Y(phenol-C/2CP-C)) values decreased, while CO(2) yield value (Y(CO(2))(-C/2CP-C)) increased with regard to the methanogenic control. The use of sludge previously exposed to both 2CP and O(2) resulted in an increase in q(2CP) of 73%. However, among the different oxygen concentrations, no significant difference in E(2CP) or q(2CP) values was observed when compared to the control without oxygen. Therefore, previous contact to 2CP resulted in being a key factor for improving 2CP mineralization and methanization in batch culture.