title: H2S gas biological removal efficiency and bacterial community diversity in biofilter treating wastewater odor.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a biofilter system to treat hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminated air and to characterize its microbial community. The biofilter system was packed with peat. During the experimental work, the peat was divided in three layers (down, middle, and up). Satisfactory removal efficiencies of H2S were proved and reached 99% for the majority of the run time at an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 60 s. The polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method was used to uncover the changes in the microbial community between the different layers. Analysis of SSCP profiles demonstrated significant differences in community structure from a layer to another with a strong decrease in species diversity towards the up layer. It was found that the used support was suitable for microorganism growth, and may have a potential application in H2S biofiltration system.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Ecologie et de Technologie Microbienne, University of Carthage, INSAT, B.P. 676, 1080 Tunis, Tunisia. ilhemelomrii@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Ilhem
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Omri
authors.forename: Hassib
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bouallagui
authors.forename: Fathia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aouidi
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Godon
authors.forename: Moktar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamdi
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D044822:Biodiversity; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006813:Humidity; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide