title: Evaluation of the aerobic biodegradation of trichloroethylene via response surface methodology.
abstract: Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effect of additives for enhancing the aerobic biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE). The parameters investigated include the initial TCE concentration, addition of extra bacteria, use of toluene as an inducer and hydrogen peroxide as terminal electron acceptor (TEA). Without additive, degradation efficiencies of >or=80% were obtained for TCE concentrations<700 mg/L. According to the second-order polynomial RSM and biodegradation results, the use of toluene to induce enzyme production inhibited degradation at TCE concentrations<300 mg/L. The addition of hydrogen peroxide did improve the overall degradation efficiency but decreased the degradation rate. The RSM model for toluene, extra bacteria and TEA predicted that the best approach to optimize degradation of high TCE concentrations is to ensure adequate population in conjunction with supplemental TEA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3905, United States. tcutright@uakron.edu
authors.forename: Teresa J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Cutright
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meza
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental / Q000187:drug effects; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009615:Nocardia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011551:Pseudomonas fluorescens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014050:Toluene / Q000494:pharmacology; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D014241:Trichloroethylene; D014050:Toluene; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide