Reduction of bromate in groundwater with an ex situ suspended growth bioreactor.
A potential remediation technique for groundwater contaminated by bromate has been investigated, utilising biological bromate reduction to bromide by augmentation of indigenous microbial populations. This technique, involving addition of a carbon source to contaminated groundwater, is being developed as an ex-situ methodology analogous to commercial denitrification systems, but may also have in-situ applications. Trials have focussed on a laboratory-scale anaerobic suspended growth chemostat system, investigating glucose addition to real groundwater supplies. Steady states for a range of glucose and bromate concentrations demonstrated bromate reduction up to 700 microgl(-1) (50% of 1400 microgl(-1) influent) with glucose excess (above 52 mgl(-1)), but specific reduction rates (up to 2.83 micromol Br.g dry wt(-1) hr(-1) for 1400 microgl(-1) bromate influent) were low compared to denitrification (up to 305 micromol N g dry wt(-1) hr(-1)). More recent enrichment trials have demonstrated reduction of 32 mgl(-1) bromate within a 40 hour residence time with specific reduction rates of up to 160.48 micromol Br.g dry wt(-1) hr(-1), suggesting the presence of high rate bromate reducing bacterial strains.
Butler
R
R
School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK. r.butler.2001@cranfield.ac.uk
Godley
A R
AR
Lake
R
R
Lytton
L
L
Cartmell
E
E
D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic; D019149:Bioreactors; D001959:Bromates / Q000378:metabolism*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012995:Solubility; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*
D001959:Bromates; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants; D006859:Hydrogen