AN EVALUATION OF 2 CATHODE MATERIALS AND THE IMPACT OF COPPER ON BIOELECTROCHEMICAL DENITRIFICATION

The denitrification efficiency of two types of cathode material (stain less-steel rods wrapped with stainless-steel mesh, and graphite rods w rapped with polypropylene mesh) used as attachment media for a mixed c ulture of denitrifying microorganisms was evaluated. Statistical analy sis showed that the difference in performance of the two types of biol ogically active cathodes was insignificant. Exposure of the biological ly active cathodes to copper inhibited the attached microorganisms and had a statistically significant reduction in denitrification efficien cy. Statistical comparisons between the biological tests and the abiot ic tests confirmed that denitrification was induced biologically. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.