Sulfide-oxidizing bacteria establishment in an innovative microaerobic reactor with an internal silicone membrane for sulfur recovery from wastewater

Author(s)

Valdes, F. ^[1] ; Camiloti, P. R. ^[2] ; Rodriguez, R. P. ^[3] ; Delforno, T. P. ^[2] ; Carrillo-Reyes, J. ^[4] ; Zaiat, M. ^[2] ; Jeison, D. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ La Frontera, Dept Chem Engn, Ave Francisco Salazar, Temuco 01145 - Chile

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Res Dev & Innovat Environm Engn, Sao Carlos Sch Engn EESC, Biol Proc Lab, Engn Ambiental Bloco 4-F, Ave Joao Dagnone 1100, BR-13563120 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Alfenas, Inst Sci & Technol, Rodovia Jose Aurelio Vilela, BR-11999 Pocos De Caldas, MG - Brazil

^[4] Inst Potosino Invest Cient & Tecnol, Camino Presa San Jose, San Luis Potosi 2055 - Mexico

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIODEGRADATION; v. 27, n. 2-3, p. 119-130, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

A novel bioreactor, employing a silicone membrane for microaeration, was studied for partial sulfide oxidation to elemental sulfur. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using an internal silicone membrane reactor (ISMR) to treat dissolved sulfide and to characterize its microbial community. The ISMR is an effective system to eliminate sulfide produced in anaerobic reactors. Sulfide removal efficiencies reached 96 % in a combined anaerobic/microaerobic reactor and significant sulfate production did not occur. The oxygen transfer was strongly influenced by air pressure and flow. Pyrosequencing analysis indicated various sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) affiliated to the species Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Sulfuricurvum kujiense and Pseudomonas stutzeri attached to the membrane and also indicated similarity between the biomass deposited on the membrane wall and the biomass drawn from the material support, supported the establishment of SOB in an anaerobic sludge under microaerobic conditions. Furthermore, these results showed that the reactor configuration can develop SOB under microaerobic conditions and can improve and reestablish the sulfide conversion to elemental sulfur. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15984-0 - Bioenergy production from wastewaters and environmental fitting of liquid and solid wastes generated
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/22904-3 - Elemental sulphur recovery from wastewater in anaerobic-microaerobic combined reactor
• Grantee: Priscila Rosseto Camiloti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate