ENHANCEMENT OF PHENOL BIODEGRADATION BY SOUTH MAGNETIC-FIELD EXPOSURE

Microbial pellets in the presence of south pole magnetic fields demons trate enhanced oxidation of phenol. Earlier work at 0.49 tesla indicat es qualitatively that a unipolar north magnetic field inhibits and a s outh magnetic field accelerates phenol oxidation rates elf an alginate immobilized, mixed bacterial culture bioreactor. This work demonstrat es further enhancement by exposure during phenol oxidation at 0.15 and 0.35 tesla, as well as by exposure during acclimation of the free mic roorganisms prior to immobilization. The enhancement of biodegradation is a function of magnetic field strength and time of exposure. Enhanc ement is greatest at 0.15 tesla and indicates the existence of an opti mum south magnetic field strength.