title: Factors influencing the aerobic biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene in continuous packed bed reactors.
abstract: Factors affecting continuous 2,4-DNT degradation by an immobilized mixed microbial culture were investigated including the cell adaptation to this toxic substrate, 4-NT co-degradation, packing material porosity and substrate mass loading. Experiments were carried out in two packed bed reactors, with poraver (porous glass) and expanded slate as packing materials, using a concurrent water-air flow with ample oxygen. Running the system as a batch reactor with re-circulated medium showed that the immobilized cells adapted to higher 2,4-DNT concentrations yielding higher substrate biodegradation rates. The 2,4-DNT removal rate further increased, up to 180-265 mg L(-1)d(-1), when the immobilized biomass cultivation was switched to a continuous mode. The type of the packing material influenced the 2,4-DNT removal rate, apparently due to the difference in biofilm development. Significant changes in the biofilm composition were observed compared to the original inoculum despite poor biofilm growth.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Fermentation Chemistry and Bioengineering, Prague, Czech Republic. Jan.Paca@vscht.cz
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paca
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halecky
authors.forename: Tereza
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hudcova
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paca
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stiborova
authors.forename: Evguenii
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kozliak
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004136:Dinitrobenzenes; C016403:2,4-dinitrotoluene