Effect of hydrogen sulfide on growth of sulfate reducing bacteria.
A culture of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) growing on lactate and sulfate was incubated at different pH values in the range of 5.8-7.0. The effect of pH on growth rate was determined in this pH range; the highest growth rate was observed at pH 6.7. Hydrogen sulfide produced from sulfate reduction was found to have a direct and reversible toxicity effect on the SRB. A hydrogen sulfide Concentration of 547 mg/L (16.1 mM) completely inhibited the culture growth. Comparison between acetic acid and hydrogen sulfide inhibition is presented and the concomitant inhibition kinetics are mathematically described.
Reis
M A
MA
Lab. de Engenharia Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia/UNL, 2825 Monte da Caparica, Portugal.
Almeida
J S
JS
Lemos
P C
PC
Carrondo
M J
MJ