BIODEGRADATION OF RECALCITRANT ORGANIC-MATTER UNDER SULFATE-REDUCING AND METHANOGENIC CONDITIONS IN THE LANDFILL COLUMN REACTORS

The degradation of cellulose and lignocellulosic material was investig ated in simulated landfill column reactors under sulfate reducing and methanogenic conditions. In the sulfate reducing reactors, methane gas production was effectively suppressed. The carbon dioxide produced du ring the sulfate reduction was dissolved in leachate as IC, leading to low carbon dioxide emission from sulfate reducing reactors. Higher CO D in the leachate from the sulfate reducing reactors was probably due to higher solubilization rate of cellulose and lignocellulosic materia l. In a batch experiment, the hydrolysis of Avicel-cellulose, filter p aper and newspaper was faster under sulfate reducing conditions. The p ercentage of organic carbon biodegradation in sulfate reducing conditi ons was higher than that in methanogenic conditions. (C) 1997 IAWQ. Pu blished by Elsevier Science Ltd.