title: Biodegradation of gaseous benzene with microbial consortium in a biofilter.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the biodegradation of gaseous benzene in a biofilter inoculated with benzene-oxidizing microorganisms. The biofilter performance was monitored in terms of benzene removal efficiency and carbon dioxide production. The biofilter was capable of achieving as much as 96% benzene removal efficiency at a residence time of 2 min and an inlet concentration of 220 ppm. During operation with an inlet benzene of 220 ppm, the maximum elimination capacity of the biofilter was 483 g of C6H6 m(-3) day(-1). Under the same conditions, carbon dioxide with a concentration of up to 726 ppm was produced. It was found that carbon dioxide wasproduced at a rate of 608 mg day(-1), which corresponded to a volume of 0.35 l day(-1). Observable features of the microorganisms, meaning microbial activity occurrence in the biofilter, were investigated with the microscopy analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Education, Mokpo National University, Muan-Kun, Chonnam, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria; D001554:Benzene / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005374:Filtration; D005740:Gases; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D001554:Benzene