BARRIER AND CARRIER EFFECTS OF N-DODECANE ON THE ANAEROBIC DEGRADATION OF BENZOTHIOPHENE BY DESULFOVIBRIO-DESULFURICANS

n-Alkanes affect the degradation of aromatic sulfur compounds both in aerobic and in anaerobic conditions. Some authors have reported anaero bic desulfurization by sulfate-reducing bacteria. These catalytic reac tions are biohydrodesulfurizations (BHDS). n-Dodecane has a barrier or carrier effect on benzothiophene degradation in the absence (growing cell condition) or presence (resting cell condition) of hydrogen in th e head space of the batch. In addition, thermodynamic factors are very important in benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene degradation by the m icroorganism Desulfovibrio desulfuricans.