title: Phenol biodegradation by different mixed cultures and the optimization of efficiency of the degradation.
abstract: In this study, the phenol degradation capacities of four different mixed cultures, namely, Ankara Stream (AS), petroleum-contaminated soil (PS), olive mill wastewater (OMW), and drug mill wastewater (DMW) were investigated with regards to different pH levels, phenol (497.2-1183.0 mg/L) and biomass concentrations (0.5-3.0%(v/v)). The most efficient culture was selected and the optimal conditions required for its highest performance in phenol degradation were studied. We found 100% phenol degradation for DMW at nearly 1000 mg/L initial concentration. The optimum pH was 8 and the mixed culture could tolerate phenol levels up to approximately 1500 mg/L. The selected culture degraded all of the phenol concentrations ranging from 497.2 to 1183.0 mg/L with 100% efficiency after 48 h and 120 h incubation, respectively. Increasing the biomass concentration from 0.5% to 3.0% (v/v) level decreased the incubation time needed for complete degradation. The data indicate that the mixed culture used in this study can be taken as a good candidate for effective treatment of waters contaminated by phenol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey. nrkilic@ankara.edu.tr
authors.forename: Nur Koçberber
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kiliç
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gönül
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dönmez
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008965:Molasses; D019800:Phenol / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D019800:Phenol; D062065:Wastewater