title: Simultaneous oxidation of ammonium, p-cresol and sulfide using a nitrifying sludge in a multipurpose bioreactor: a novel alternative.
abstract: A nitrifying continuous stirred tank reactor was used as multipurpose bioreactor and it was operated for 325 days at 220 mg NH(4)(+)-N/Ld, 89 mg p-cresol-C /Ld and 36-76 mg S(2-)/Ld. The bioreactor was fed in sequential way, firstly with ammonium, achieving a consumption efficiency of 89%, with a nitrate yield of 0.99. Afterward, p-cresol was fed, achieving ammonium and p-cresol consumption efficiencies of 95% and 100%, respectively. The nitrate yield was higher and no aromatic intermediaries from p-cresol were detected. Finally sulfide was fed and the consumption efficiencies for all substrates were of 100%, being nitrate, HCO(3)(-) and sulfate the end products. The kinetic results showed that biological sulfide consumption was 13-fold faster than the chemical oxidation. This is the first time that a nitrifying reactor can be used for multiple purposes and also for the simultaneous removal of ammonium, sulfide and p-cresol in one step.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Departamento de Biotecnología, Mexico. beristain_3@yahoo.com.mx
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beristain-Cardoso
authors.forename: Dennys Nurit
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Pérez-González
authors.forename: Gehovana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González-Blanco
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gómez
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D003408:Cresols / Q000378:metabolism*; D004867:Equipment Design; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003408:Cresols; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012722:Sewage; D013440:Sulfides; C032538:4-cresol; D009584:Nitrogen