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Biodegradation of PCP-containing wastewater by free and immobilized cells Zhu, Chun-Mei

Abstract

Free and immobilized flavobacterium sp. were tested and confirmed for their degradability of synthetic PCP-containing wastewater. Laboratory scale batch and continuous reactors were developed for the research. Free flavobacterium sp. in batch reactors could completely degrade PCP into non-toxic chemicals at PCP concentrations of 30, and 50 ppm. Only partial degradation was found at PCP concentrations higher than 65 ppm. Activated sludge showed its incapability of PCP degradation, but activated sludge mixed with free flavobacterium sp. in the batch reactors showed the same degradation capability as the ones with only free flavobacterium sp. Free flavobacterium sp. had limitations for PCP degradation. Flavobacterium sp. immobilized in alginate were tested in the continuous reactors and indicated their ability to degrade 65 ppm PCP efficiently. The levels of PCP degradation by immobilized flavobacterium sp. cells decreased as the influent PCP loading rate increased, or as the hydraulic retention time (HRT) decreased. Immobilized flavobacterium sp. can tolerate higher concentrations of PCP than free ones. The research results indicate the possibility of scale-up and design of reactors for treating PCP-containing wastewater by using immobilized flavobacterium sp. cells.

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