AEROBIC BIODEGRADATION POTENTIAL OF A CONSTRUCTED BIOZONE FOR LASAGNA(TM) SOIL REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGY

The biodegradation potential of an aerobic microbial process for p-nit rophenol (PNP) biodegradation was evaluated for Lasagna(TM) soil remed iation technology. A unique, flow-through test cell was designed to pa ss controlled levels of PNP through an aerated biozone containing Pseu domonas putida PNP1 immobilized on a porous nylon biocarrier. Chemical -loading studies and kinetic analyses determined a pseudo first-order rate constant of 0.036 min(-1) and a half-life of 19.1 min for PNP in the biozone, Microbial respiration, measured as resting oxygen uptake (Ou) and glucose-specific Ou, established the relationships between ce ll numbers, oxygen consumption, and biodegradation of PNP. These resul ts provide the fundamental understanding needed to predict performance of this aerobic bioprocess under optimal conditions and show the aero bic microbial bioprocess, if properly implemented and supported, has a high capacity for chemical degradation and should support most applic ations of Lasagna(TM) soil remediation technology for remediation of P NP contaminated soils.