Microbial processes and bacterial populations associated to anaerobic treatment of sulfate-rich wastewater

Author(s)

Sarti, Arnaldo ^[1] ; Pozzi, Eloisa ^[1] ; Chinalia, Fabio A. ^[2] ; Ono, Alexandre ^[1] ; Foresti, Eugenio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Hidraul & Saneamento, Escola Engn Sao Carlos, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Cranfield Univ, Sch Appl Sci, Cranfield MK43 0AL, Beds - England

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Process Biochemistry; v. 45, n. 2, p. 164-170, FEB 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 37

Abstract

A pilot-scale (1.2 m(3)) anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR) containing mineral coal for biomass attachment was fed with sulfate-rich wastewater at increasing sulfate concentrations. Ethanol was used as the main organic source. Tested COD/sulfate ratios were of 1.8 and 1.5 for sulfate loading rates of 0.65-1.90 kgSO(4)(2-)/cycle (48 h-cycle) or of 1.0 in the trial with 3.0 gSO(4)(2-) l(-1). Sulfate removal efficiencies observed in all trials were as high as 99%. Molecular inventories indicated a shift on the microbial composition and a decrease on species diversity with the increase of sulfate concentration. Beta-proteobacteria species affiliated with Aminomonas spp. and Thermanaerovibrio spp. predominated at 1.0 gSO(4)(2-) l(-1). At higher sulfate concentrations the predominant bacterial group was Delta-proteobacteria mainly Desulfovibrio spp. and Desulfomicrobium spp. at 2.0 gSO(4)(2-) l(-1), whereas Desulfurella spp. and Coprothermobacter spp. predominated at 3.0 gSO(4)(2-) l(-1). These organisms have been commonly associated with sulfate reduction producing acetate, sulfide and sulfur. Methanogenic archaea(Methanosaeta spp.)was found at 1.0 and 2.0 gSO(4)(2-) l(-1). Additionally, a simplified mathematical model was used to infer on metabolic pathways of the biomass involved in sulfate reduction. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 03/07799-2 - Desempenho de reator anaeróbio operado em batelada sequencial (escala piloto) no tratamento de água residuária de indústria química
• Grantee: Arnaldo Sarti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral