Parameters affecting the degradation of benzothiazoles and benzimidazoles in activated sludge systems.
It was found that benzothiazole, 2-oxybenzothiazole and 2-benzothiazolesulphonate were degraded in activated sludge systems. 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) was more resistant, although the first step in MBT degradation seemed to be transformation to the sulphonate form. At higher MBT concentrations, it was transformed into a disulphide, which accumulated in the sludge. MBT was also found to be mainly responsible for the toxicity of rubber chemical waste-water towards activated sludges. It inhibited the degradation of the other heterocycles. Only at concentrations of around 20 ppm was MBT degraded. Mercaptobenzimidazole ranked second in resistance to degradation.
De Vos
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Catholic University of Leuven, Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology and Biochemistry, Heverlee, Belgium.
De Wever
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Verachtert
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D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000378:metabolism*; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001709:Biotechnology; D002617:Chemical Industry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012408:Rubber; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
D001562:Benzimidazoles; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D013844:Thiazoles; D012408:Rubber; C005465:benzothiazole