F. Eismann et al., ALTERNATIVE ELECTRON-ACCEPTORS IN MICROBIAL COAL-CONVERSION WASTE-WATER TREATMENT, Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 46(5-6), 1996, pp. 604-609
Biotreatment experiments with solutions of autoxidized phenolic compou
nds as well as coal-conversion wastewater stored for 30 years and rich
in humic matter were performed under nitrate-reducing, sulphate-reduc
ing and methanogenic conditions. The removal of total organic carbon i
n fractions of different molecular mass and of monomeric phenolic comp
ounds in the wastewater was determined. A comparison of biotransformat
ion potentials and rates indicated a relationship between these aspect
s and the availability of electron accepters in the system. The capaci
ties of the microbial consortia increased significantly with the energ
y microorganisms could gain from their respective respiration process
and can be expressed by the order: aerobic process - nitrate reduction
- sulphate reduction - methanogenesis.