Complete dechlorination and mineralization of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR)

Water Research
Min LongBruce E Rittmann

Abstract

Complete biodegradation and mineralization of pentachlorophenol (PCP), a priority pollutant in water, is challenging for water treatment. In this study, a hydrogen (H2)-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was applied to treat PCP, along with nitrate and sulfate, which often coexist in contaminated groundwater. Throughout 120-days of continuous operation, almost 100% of up to 10 mg/L PCP was removed with minimal intermediate accumulation and in parallel with complete denitrification of 20 mg-N/L nitrate. PCP initially was reductively dechlorinated to phenol, which was then mineralized to CO2 through pathways that began with aerobic activation via monooxygenation by Xanthobacter and anaerobic activation via carboxylation by Azospira and Thauera. Sulfur cycling induced by SO42- reduction affected the microbial community: The dominant bacteria became sulfate-reducers Desulfomicrobium, sulfur-oxidizers Sulfuritalea and Flavobacterium. This study provides insights and a promising technology for bioremediation of water contaminated with PCP, nitrate, and sulfate.

Citations

Feb 4, 2019·Biotechnology and Bioengineering·YenJung Sean LaiBruce E Rittmann
Jul 25, 2019·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Buddhika GunawardanaNaresh Singhal
Jan 29, 2019·Frontiers in Microbiology·Chen ZhouBruce E Rittmann
Aug 22, 2018·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·A Ontiveros-ValenciaB E Rittmann
Dec 15, 2020·Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering·Mohammad Ali ZazouliEsmaeil Babanezhad
Apr 10, 2021·Journal of Hazardous Materials·Kejing ZhangYingwen Xue
Nov 22, 2021·The Science of the Total Environment·Rongfen Chen, Yan Zhou

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Biofilm & Infectious Disease

Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor for a wide range of microorganisms that cause chronic infections.Here is the latest research on biofilm and infectious diseases.