Assessment of toxicity of tetrahydrofuran on the microbial community in activated sludge.
Activated sludge is widely used to treat industrial wastewater, but its efficiency is affected by a variety of factors, including toxic substances such as tetrahydrofuran (THF). In this study, we examined the toxicity of THF at different concentrations (0-320 mM) on the microbial community in activated sludge. A remarkable dose-dependent decrease in the total organic compound removal rate and culturable bacteria and fungi was observed. At THF concentrations higher than 160 mM, a decrease in pH to 3.0 was observed. The activities of five enzymes (catalase, dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase and protease) analyzed were all significantly inhibited (p<0.01) at THF concentrations higher than 160 mM, especially dehydrogenase activity, which lost 95.4% of its activity at 320 mM THF. Microbial community analysis by PCR-DGGE revealed a substantial shift in the community structure and a reduction in diversity at a low THF concentration (20mM). These results suggest that THF is much more toxic than reported in the literature, indicating its acute toxicity to microorganisms.
Yao
Yanlai
Y
Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, 388 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
Guan
Jian
J
Tang
Peng
P
Jiao
Huipeng
H
Lin
Cheng
C
Wang
Jingjing
J
Lu
Zhenmei
Z
Min
Hang
H
Gao
Haichun
H
D002374:Catalase / Q000737:chemistry; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005663:Furans / Q000633:toxicity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000737:chemistry; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry; D010802:Phylogeny; D012722:Sewage; D014510:Urease / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D005663:Furans; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C018674:tetrahydrofuran; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D002374:Catalase; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D014510:Urease