BIODEGRADATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE BY ALCALIGENES-EUTROPHUS JMP134 IN A LABORATORY-SCALE BIOREACTOR

A single stage recirculating bioreactor with a pure culture of Alcalig enes eutrophus JMP134 and a packed gravel bed was operated for a two w eek period during which a maximum biodegradation of 88.4% of the influ ent trichloroethylene was observed with average performance of 71.8% a t 8.4 hour hydraulic retention time. The reactor was then operated for a seven day period with the gravel bed removed, demonstrating a maxim um degradation of 97.4% and an average of 95.6%. Average influent and effuent concentrations for the second case were 5.97 mg/l and 145 mug/ l with a mean retention time of 14.1 hours. Phenol, supplied as the so le source of carbon and energy, was degraded below levels of detection (< 1.6 muM) in the effuent.