PHENOL AND REFUSE CATABOLISM - THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CODISPOSAL STRATEGIES

The efficacies of different co-disposal strategies (elution, leachate recycle, single addition (batch), single addition plus rain permeation ) to treat phenol (1000 and 2000 mg dm(-3)) were investigated with lab oratory microcosms. The elution columns recorded the highest total rem ovals but were coincident with low leachate pH values and high residua l phenol concentrations. In contrast, leachate recycle facilitated bot h increased leachate pH values and methane evolution. Rain permeation proved detrimental to phenol attenuation since the molecule was rapidl y displaced together with key methanogenic precursors. All the microco sms were characterised by protracted lag phases prior to phenol catabo lism and the nitrate- and sulphate-reducing bacteria were particularly sensitive to the added molecule. (C) 1998 Society of Chemical Industr y.